Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav dismissed rumors and misinformation surrounding the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the Aravalli mountain range. The Minister stated that the Aravalli range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the country.
The government, led by the Prime Minister, has always supported a verdant Aravalli. Certain individuals are intentionally spreading misinformation about the court ruling, but having read it thoroughly, I would like to clarify that no exemptions have been granted.
The Supreme Court has made a decision based on scientific evaluations for the conservation of Aravalli in Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana. This marks the first recognition of the government's green movement. A technical committee has been formed for limited mining purposes.
Source: aajtak
The issue regarding the 100-meter height is fundamental, implying that only those landforms towering 100 meters or more from the surrounding ground will be considered part of the Aravalli hills. The entire slope from the peak to the base will be protected. When two hills are within 500 meters of each other, the intervening space will also be deemed part of the Aravalli range. No mining permissions exist in the NCR. Paragraph 38 of the court's ruling explicitly states that no new mining leases will be granted, except for critical necessities.
The Aravalli shelters 20 wildlife sanctuaries and four tiger reserves, which will remain thoroughly protected. The total Aravalli region spans approximately 144,000 square kilometers, with mining potential in only 0.19%. Over 90% of the area will fall under the protected zone.
The decision has addressed all false allegations and rumors. Illegal mining is the foremost threat to Aravalli. Increased monitoring will enhance protection. The government is fully committed to the 'Green Aravalli.' By November 20, 2025, uniform rules will apply across the four states, alleviating previous misuse.
During the prolonged hearings concerning illegal mining in Aravalli, the Supreme Court formed a committee in May 2024 to recommend a unified definition. Different states were following varied criteria for permitting mining.
This committee was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and included representatives from Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi, along with members from technical institutes. The committee identified that a formal definition of Aravalli existed only within Rajasthan, enforced since 2006.
According to this definition, landforms rising 100 meters or more from the surrounding terrain are considered hills and the entire area within the bounding contour of these hills, irrespective of variations in slope or height of enclosed landforms, is prohibited for mining.
On the Aravalli controversy, Rajasthan CM Bhajanalal Sharma posted, 'Aravalli is not just a mountain, it is our identity. I assure everyone that Aravalli is fully secure. There will be no tampering.'
