Union Environment Ministry Halts New Mining Leases in Aravalli Hills

The Union environment ministry has announced a ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli Hills to safeguard the region's ecological integrity. This decision follows criticism regarding the redefinition of the mountain range, which environmentalists argue could leave important lower hills vulnerable to mining. The ministry has also directed further ecological assessments to identify additional protected zones. The Congress party has criticized the government's actions as inadequate, questioning the rationale behind the new definition despite expert opposition. This article delves into the implications of these developments for environmental conservation in the Aravalli region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 08:34 IST

New Directives on Mining in Aravalli Hills

On Wednesday, the Union environment ministry issued a directive to states prohibiting the issuance of new mining leases in the Aravalli Hills. This decision comes amid ongoing criticism regarding the proposed redefinition of this significant mountain range.

The ministry emphasized that this ban aims to protect the ecological integrity of the entire Aravalli range.

Spanning approximately 700 kilometers, the Aravalli mountain range extends from southwest Gujarat through Rajasthan to Delhi and Haryana, with its highest peak, Guru Shikhar, reaching an elevation of 1,722 meters.

According to the government's newly accepted definition, which has received the Supreme Court's endorsement, an Aravalli hill is defined as any landform that rises at least 100 meters above the surrounding area. Furthermore, an Aravalli range consists of two or more such hills located within 500 meters of each other, including the intervening land.

Environmental advocates have raised concerns that this height-based definition could jeopardize many lower hills that, while not meeting the height criteria, play a vital role in ecological balance, groundwater recharge, and local livelihoods.

In response to the backlash, the ministry announced that it has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education with identifying additional ecological zones within the Aravallis where mining activities should be prohibited. These zones will be in addition to areas already designated as off-limits to mining.

The ministry also instructed state governments to ensure that current mining operations adhere to environmental regulations and comply with the Supreme Court's directives.

The Congress party criticized the government's recent actions, labeling them a "bogus attempt at damage control" that fails to address the core issues. Party leader Jairam Ramesh expressed concerns over the unchanged "dangerous 100m+ redefinition" on social media.

Earlier this week, the Union government refuted claims that the redefinition undermines environmental protections, asserting that over 90% of the Aravalli region remains safeguarded.

On Wednesday, the Congress party questioned the government's insistence on advancing a "fatally flawed" redefinition of the Aravallis, despite opposition from key experts and advisors to the Supreme Court.

Ramesh shared a report highlighting that the Supreme Court's acceptance of the government's new definition contradicts the recommendations made by its own Central Empowered Committee.