Centre Says Aravalli Hills Are Safe No New Mining Allowed

On Sunday, the Central government decisively countered concerns regarding the newly defined Aravalli hills, asserting that it would not facilitate large-scale mining. Officials emphasized that more than 90% of the Aravalli Hills will maintain their protected status, with mining regulations remaining strictly enforced. The revised definition aims to bolster environmental protections rather than diminish them.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed criticisms from Congress and various groups, denouncing their claims as misinformed. He remarked that misinformation was fueling public confusion, clarifying that the framework endorsed by the Supreme Court actually enhances protections for this delicate mountain range.

The updated definition, approved last month, specifies that landforms with elevations of 100 metres or higher relative to their surroundings, along with their slopes and adjacent areas, will be classified as part of the Aravalli range. The government clarified that this does not imply that regions below this height are available for mining activities; entire hill systems and their natural boundaries will remain safeguarded.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed disapproval over the decision, alleging that nearly 90% of the Aravalli would lose its protective status under the new classification. The government refuted these claims, stating that mining eligibility would extend to a mere 0.19% of the Aravalli's total area, approximately 1.44 lakh square kilometres. Most of the land is secured by stringent environmental protections.

Minister Yadav elaborated that zones within 500 metres between adjacent hills will be classified as part of the same range and afforded appropriate protection. He noted that the notion of unrestricted mining below the 100-metre mark is erroneous, as even those lower regions of hill systems are included in the protection measures.

Reports indicate that the Supreme Court sought a standardized definition due to varying regulations across states concerning mining permissions. A government investigation revealed that Rajasthan alone had a comprehensive definition since 2006, which disallows mining at the lowest contour of a hill, regardless of height.

Officials from Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi have agreed to implement this model, supplemented with additional safeguards. These enhancements will involve mandatory mapping by the Survey of India, classifying nearby hills as a unified range, and establishing core no-mining areas. Furthermore, the court has mandated a halt on new mining leases until a sustainable mining strategy is developed, while current mines are allowed to operate solely under strict regulations. Mining remains entirely banned in protected and eco-sensitive zones, barring rare national importance cases.