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In an order issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape, treating the mountain system as a continuous geological formation rather than fragmented state-wise parcels.
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate has directed all states to impose a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range, stretching from Delhi to Gujarat, in a significant move aimed at curbing illegal mining and protecting one of India’s most fragile and critical ecological zones.
In an order issued on Wednesday, the ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape, treating the mountain system as a continuous geological formation rather than fragmented state-wise parcels. The decision is intended to halt unregulated and illegal mining activities and preserve the integrity of the Aravalli range from Gujarat to the National Capital Region.
The ministry has also tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional areas across the Aravallis where mining should be prohibited entirely, beyond zones already barred by the Centre. This identification will be based on ecological sensitivity, geological features and landscape-level considerations.
According to the official statement, ICFRE has been asked to carry out this exercise while preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region. The plan will assess cumulative environmental impacts, ecological carrying capacity, and biodiversity values, identify conservation-critical zones, and prescribe measures for restoration and rehabilitation. Once prepared, the plan will be placed in the public domain for broad stakeholder consultation.
The Centre said this exercise would further expand the area protected from mining across the Aravallis, taking into account local topography, biodiversity and ecological fragility.
For operational mines, the ministry has directed state governments to ensure strict compliance with environmental safeguards and adherence to the Supreme Court’s orders. Existing mining activities will be subjected to tighter regulation and additional restrictions to ensure sustainable practices and environmental protection.
Reiterating its long-term commitment, the Government of India said the Aravalli ecosystem plays a crucial role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging groundwater aquifers and providing essential environmental services to large parts of north-western India. The latest directions, it said, are aimed at securing these functions for future generations.
