Central Government Imposes Complete Ban on New Mining Leases in Aravalli Range

The central government has issued directives to states on Wednesday to enforce a total ban on the issuance of new mining leases across the entire Aravalli mountain range. This prohibition will be uniformly applied throughout the Aravalli region, aiming to preserve the mountain range as a sustainable geological formation while also eliminating illegal and irregular mining activities that have caused extensive environmental damage over the years.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, this initiative is a crucial step towards safeguarding the entire Aravalli range, which stretches from Delhi to Gujarat, from illegal mining. The Ministry has instructed states to impose a complete ban on any new mining leases in the Aravalli region. This ban is intended to maintain the integrity of the mountain range and protect it as a continuous geological series from Gujarat to the National Capital Region, while also halting all irregular mining activities.

Furthermore, the Ministry has directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas or zones within the Aravalli region where mining should be prohibited beyond the areas already restricted by the central government. This identification should be based on ecological, geological, and landscape considerations. ICFRE has been tasked with developing a comprehensive, science-based sustainable mining management plan (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region. This plan will be made available for public consultation and will assess cumulative environmental impacts, identify ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas, and outline restoration and rehabilitation measures.

According to the Ministry, this initiative by the central government will further expand the scope of protected and restricted areas in the entire Aravalli region, taking into account local topography, ecology, and biodiversity. The government has also instructed state authorities to ensure strict compliance with all environmental safety measures for existing operational mines, in accordance with Supreme Court orders. Ongoing mining activities will be strictly regulated with additional restrictions to ensure adherence to environmental protection and sustainable mining practices. The Indian government is fully committed to the long-term preservation of the Aravalli ecosystem, recognizing its vital role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging water reservoirs, and providing environmental services to the region.