Amidst the ongoing controversy regarding the Aravalli mountain range, the Central Government has adopted a strict and clear stand and has completely banned new mining leases in the Aravalli range. Central Forest and Environment The Ministry has written letters to the Chief Secretaries of Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat and instructed them that under the orders of the Supreme Court, new mining will be banned until a scientific plan related to Aravalli conservation and mining is prepared. This decision is directly linked to the new mining ban in Aravalli.
The Ministry has clarified in its letter that further decisions on any activity related to mining in the Aravalli region will be taken in accordance with the policy accepted by the Supreme Court. This instruction is also being considered important because recently the central government was being accused of the new definition of the Aravalli mountain range, which could allow mining on a large scale. In such a situation, this step of the government clarifies the situation regarding Aravalli conservation and mining policy (Aravalli mining ban).
The Union Forest and Environment Ministry has also directed that monitoring of the currently operating mines should be increased. States have been asked to ensure that the existing mining operations are carried out within the guidelines of the Supreme Court. In case of violation of rules, action will be taken against the concerned agencies. This monitoring will also be done under the mining control (Aravalli mining ban) in the Aravalli region.
The ministry’s assistant commissioner Jitesh Kumar has written a letter to the director general of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) asking him to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the Aravalli Range as per the directions of the Supreme Court. In this plan, along with restricted areas, areas suitable for limited mining will also be identified.
At present, different mining rules are applicable in the states connected to the Aravalli Range. In view of this disparity, the Supreme Court had directed the Central Government to constitute a high-level committee to formulate a uniform policy. This decision of the Center is considered important towards the long-term conservation of the Aravalli ranges, environmental balance and protection of water sources.
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