In response to growing environmental concerns, the central government has imposed a significant decision regarding mining activities in the Aravalli mountain range. The Aravalli region, which spans Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, has become a focal point of national debate over its environmental preservation. Environmentalists, under the #SaveAravalli movement, have been actively advocating against mining, and the central government has responded by issuing a directive to halt the granting of new mining leases in the region. This move aims to protect the sensitive ecological landscape of the Aravallis.
The government has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with studying the environmental impact of mining in the area. Until a comprehensive scientific report is presented, new mining permits will be suspended. Existing mining operations, however, will continue but are required to adhere to stringent environmental regulations and comply with Supreme Court directives. The government has also indicated plans to expand the “no-mining” zones, designating additional ecologically sensitive areas for protection.
The controversy surrounding the Aravalli range deepened after a recent Supreme Court ruling which defined the Aravalli mountains as only those areas above 100 meters in height. Environmental experts have raised concerns that this could open up smaller hills and environmentally sensitive areas for mining exploitation, which would lead to further ecological degradation. In response to these concerns, the central government intervened with a comprehensive ban to safeguard the region’s environmental balance.
The Aravalli hills serve a crucial role in preventing the Thar Desert from spreading eastward and act as vital groundwater recharge zones. Additionally, they are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including leopards and nilgai. Experts warn that mining in these regions would severely impact these natural resources, leading to a greater environmental crisis in the capital region. With the government’s new decision, the Aravalli hills have received some much-needed protection, offering a temporary respite from the threats posed by unchecked mining activities.