Centre Bans New Mining Leases Across Aravallis; Opposition Calls Move a “Bogus Attempt”

Amid protests and criticism over the government’s new definition of the Aravalli Hills, the Union Environment Ministry has announced a complete ban on the grant of any new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range, stretching from Gujarat to the National Capital Region. The move is aimed at protecting one of the world’s oldest mountain systems from further ecological degradation caused by illegal and unregulated mining.

The directions have been issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to all concerned states, making the prohibition applicable uniformly across the Aravalli landscape. The Centre said the decision is intended to preserve the integrity of the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge and safeguard its ecological and landscape value.

As part of the exercise, the ministry has directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas and zones across the Aravallis where mining should be prohibited. These zones will be over and above areas already restricted by the Centre, based on ecological, geological and landscape-level considerations.

ICFRE has also been tasked with preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region. The plan will assess cumulative environmental impacts and ecological carrying capacity, identify ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas, and propose measures for restoration and rehabilitation. Once prepared, the plan will be placed in the public domain for wider stakeholder consultation.

However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed the announcement a “bogus attempt at damage control,” questioning the government’s intent and effectiveness of the measures.

“This is a bogus attempt at damage control that will not fool anybody. These are pious proclamations but the dangerous 100m-plus redefinition of the Aravallis, rejected by the Forest Survey of India, the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee, and the Supreme Court’s amicus curiae, remains unchanged,” Ramesh said in a statement.

The government, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to the long-term protection of the Aravalli Range, citing its critical role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging aquifers, and providing essential environmental services to the Region.

According to the ministry, this excercise will further expand the coverage of protected and mining-prohibited areas across the Aravallis, keeping in view local topography, ecology and biodiversity.

For mines that are already operational, the Centre has directed state governments to ensure strict compliance with all environmental safeguards and adherence to the orders of the Supreme Court of India. Ongoing mining activities are to be regulated stringently, with additional restrictions, to ensure environmental protection and adherence to sustainable mining practices.