The Aravalli mining ban marks a decisive move by the Centre as it imposed a blanket prohibition on new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range, from Delhi to Gujarat, to protect fragile ecosystems and groundwater reserves. The Government of India imposed an absolute prohibition on any new mining leases in the entire Aravalli Range from the NCT of Delhi to Gujarat (no exceptions were allowed by the regions) through their Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ministry. The purpose of the Ministry was to reduce or eliminate illegal mining; therefore, in order to meet this aim, they suggested that the ban would protect the Aravallis, which are considered a continuous, historical geological ridge, as well as protect areas where sensitive ecosystems are located by preventing damage from unregulated extraction activities.
This action was taken because of the growing awareness of the adverse impacts caused by mining on both the environment and the groundwater within these areas, as well as the growing interest of various stakeholders in working towards the preservation of these important ecological areas. The federal government emphasized the importance of the need for a uniform application of the ban across all States that contain portions of the Aravalli Hills. The decision is essentially for the long-term sustainability of the natural environment. States should stop granting any permits for additional mining operations immediately.
ICFRE mapping strengthens Aravalli mining ban with new no-mining zones
The Government of India has requested the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to find out where the best place to establish additional Protected Areas (PAs) over the Aravalli mountains can be. To do so, ICFRE will look at many different aspects (e.g., Environment, Geology, and Land Use) over the entire Aravalli Mountain Range in conjunction with developing a PA Management plan for Sustainable Mining. This plan will look at how much the environment has been impacted by cumulative impacts and the region’s carrying capacity, and what the most critical areas for Conservation that need to be protected are. It will also outline the issues associated with restoring or rehabilitating the areas that have been mined.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) will publish a draft version of the plan for public review. This is to promote the involvement of all stakeholders in developing policies related to Mining and for the use of Scientific information in making future decisions regarding Mining Regulation.
Existing mines face stricter compliance under court oversight
The Centre has directed states to impose strict environmental controls on their existing mines. All states are required to comply with the Supreme Court of India’s orders regarding India’s Mining activities on existing leases. The Court previously froze new leases until a final Mining sustainability plan has been developed for them. The Court also stressed the importance of the Aravali hills as a green boundary against the desert encroachment.
The government has denied the so-called allegations that the level of protection for the Environment has been reduced. The Union Minister for the Environment, Bhupender Yadav, stated publicly that the allegations are wrong and are spreading false information about the new policy. He went on to state that this policy will only target the illegal mining sector and not affect the environmental guidelines. All officials involved stated that the Aravalli Hills represent an important part of India’s Biodiversity as well as provide much needed recharges of the groundwater aquifers. The recent order demonstrates the government’s commitment to conserving the natural environment in and around the Aravali Hills for many years to come.
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