Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav today underlined that the Supreme Court’s order on the Aravalli range recognises and endorses the Government’s sustained efforts to protect it. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Mr Yadav asserted that misinformation is being spread on the Aravali issue and stressed that no new mining leases will be permitted, especially in core, protected and ecologically sensitive areas, including the Delhi-NCR. 

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that mining is absolutely prohibited in protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, tiger reserves, wetlands, and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) plantation sites. Citing the Supreme Court’s order, Mr Yadav said no new mining leases will be issued until a detailed Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education – ICFRE.

The Council will identify permissible and prohibited zones, assess ecological carrying capacity, and mandate post-mining restoration for the entire Aravallis. It must also include detailed post-mining restoration and rehabilitation measures. Regarding the definition of Aravalli Hills as any landform rising 100 metres or more above, the Minister said that such a definition is only subjected to mining.

Mr Yadav further emphasised the protection of four tiger reserves and 20 wildlife sanctuaries in the area, stating that the government is balancing ecology and economy together. He highlighted that the Court has also upheld the government’s green concerns, noting that no new mining lease, except in the case of critical strategic and atomic mineral will be permitted.

These directions endorses Government’s vision of promoting sustainable mining, preventing illegal mining and promoting the Green Aravalli mission.