Government Dismisses Claims on Mining in Aravalli Hills
Government's Response to Mining Allegations
The central government has rejected reports suggesting that the definition of the Aravalli hills has been altered to permit mining activities. Officials stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court's directives, no new mining leases will be issued in the region until a comprehensive management plan is finalized. This announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday, emphasizing that the Supreme Court has mandated uniform standards for the protection of the Aravalli hills due to the ecological threats posed by unregulated mining activities.
Last May, the Supreme Court established a committee to recommend a standardized definition for the Aravalli hills, prompted by varying criteria adopted by different states. The committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, included representatives from the state governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat.
Recommendations from the Committee
The committee proposed several amendments to the definition, suggesting that any mining activities should only be considered after the Aravalli hills are marked on the Survey of India maps. It also called for a clear identification of areas where mining is strictly prohibited. The committee emphasized the need for a clear, objective, and scientifically robust criterion for local geomorphology to ensure uniform application across all states and to guarantee complete protection of the hill formations.
Furthermore, the committee recommended that hills located within 500 meters of each other should be treated as a mountain range and thus require appropriate conservation measures. The government also mentioned the need for detailed guidelines to facilitate sustainable mining and effective measures to curb illegal mining.
Current Mining Status in Aravalli Region
According to the government, district-level analyses in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat reveal that legal mining currently occurs in only a small fraction of the Aravalli region, accounting for approximately 0.19 percent of the total geographical area of the 37 Aravalli districts. In Delhi, which encompasses five Aravalli districts, no mining activities are permitted. The primary threat to the Aravalli region is identified as illegal and unregulated mining, prompting the committee to recommend stringent monitoring and enforcement measures, including the use of drones and surveillance technologies.