Central government gives new instructions to states, complete ban on new mining leases in Aravalli region

New Delhi.The Central Government has given fresh instructions to the states on the burning issue related to the environment. According to this instruction given in the matter of granting mining lease in the Aravalli mountain range, no new lease can be given for mining in the Aravalli mountain range extending from the state Gujarat to Delhi. This means that now there will be a complete ban on issuing new mining leases in this environmentally extremely sensitive area. Let us tell you that after the order of the Supreme Court last November, the Environment Ministry had earlier warned the states in this regard.
The advisory dated December 21 had said that no new lease for mining should be granted until the MPSM i.e. Sustainable Mining Management Plan is finalised. This advisory was issued after the order of the Supreme Court. The order said that no new lease for mining could be granted until the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education prepared a management plan. According to the Environment Ministry, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education has been asked to identify additional areas in the entire Aravalli region where mining should be banned. This is in addition to those areas where the Center has already banned mining. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education has been asked to prepare a holistic and science-based management plan. This plan will then be made public so that all stakeholders can be consulted on it. Its environmental assessment and ecological potential will also be looked at so that sensitive areas can be identified for conservation. Also, measures can be taken for restoration or rehabilitation of such areas.