New Delhi: In a major step towards safeguarding one of India’s oldest and most fragile mountain ecosystems, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has imposed a complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range, stretching from Gujarat to the National Capital Region.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, aims to halt further degradation of the Aravallis and ensure long-term ecological protection of the region, which plays a crucial role in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater, and maintaining biodiversity.
According to the Ministry, the ban will apply uniformly across all states falling within the Aravalli range and will cover both major and minor mineral extraction. The move is intended to curb illegal and unregulated mining activities that have caused extensive ecological damage over the years.
In addition, the Ministry has directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas within the Aravalli region where mining should be completely prohibited. These zones will be identified based on scientific parameters such as ecological sensitivity, geological significance, and landscape integrity.
ICFRE has also been tasked with preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli range. The plan will assess cumulative environmental impacts, determine ecological carrying capacity, and recommend conservation, restoration, and rehabilitation measures. The draft plan will be placed in the public domain to invite suggestions from stakeholders.
The Centre further clarified that existing mining operations will be subject to stricter regulation. State governments have been directed to ensure full compliance with environmental norms and Supreme Court directives, and to enforce stringent monitoring of ongoing mining activities to prevent further ecological degradation.
Reaffirming its commitment to environmental conservation, the Ministry stated that the Aravalli range is vital for maintaining ecological balance, protecting biodiversity, and supporting livelihoods across northern and western India. The latest measures, it said, reflect the government’s resolve to protect the fragile ecosystem while promoting sustainable development.
