New Delhi, 24 December. The Central Government has taken a big step to completely protect the protected area amid the controversy over the Aravalli Hills. Under this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has instructed all the concerned states that no new mining lease will be given in the Aravalli region.
This ban will be applicable on the entire Aravalli range extending from Gujarat to Delhi.
This ban of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will be uniformly applicable to the entire Aravalli range extending from Gujarat to Delhi. Its objective is to completely stop illegal and uncontrolled mining and to save the Aravali as a sustainable landform.
It is noteworthy that the Aravalli Hills play a very important role in keeping the air of Delhi-NCR clean, preventing the spread of desert, recharging groundwater and preserving biodiversity. The Central Government has shown full commitment to their long-term security.
Complete ban on new mines
Under this, no new mining lease will be given in the entire Aravalli area. This decision has been taken in view of the increasing problem of illegal mining. With this, the natural structure of Aravali will be preserved and the environment will not be harmed.
Protected area will increase further, ICFRE directed to identify additional area
The Center has directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas in the entire Aravalli region where mining should be completely banned. This work will be done in addition to the already restricted areas. Will be done on the basis of ecology, geology and landscape.
ICFRE has to be prepared for the entire Aravali M.P.S.M.
ICFRE is to prepare a scientific and comprehensive Sustainable Mining Management Plan (MPSM) for the entire Aravali. The plan will include total environmental impact assessment, identification of sensitive areas, restoration measures and study of the carrying capacity of mining. After the plan is ready, it will be made public so that suggestions can be taken from all the parties. This will further expand the protected area in Aravali, especially keeping in mind the local topography, ecology and biodiversity.
Strict monitoring of already operating mines
In this sequence, for the mines which are already running, instructions have been given to the state governments to strictly follow all the environmental rules. Additional restrictions will be imposed on ongoing mining activities as per Supreme Court orders. The rules of sustainable mining will have to be followed completely so that there is no harm to the environment.
The central government also says that conservation of the Aravali is necessary to stop the spread of the desert, save biodiversity, maintain groundwater levels and provide environmental services to the region. This decision is an important step in the long running Aravalli conservation dispute. Better security of the hills will be ensured in the coming times.
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