ndia Government Confirms Over 90 Percent Aravalli Region Protected Against Mining Activities
India’s government has clarified that over 90 percent of the Aravalli region will remain protected, rejecting claims that new definitions could permit widespread mining. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised that the Supreme Court-approved framework freezes new mining leases and standardises hill and range identification across states. The updated guidelines cover hill bases and intervening areas, introduce stricter monitoring, and designate core and inviolate zones, ensuring stronger safeguards for biodiversity, groundwater resources, and sustainable urban development in surrounding districts.
The framework, accepted by the Supreme Court in November 2025, defines an Aravalli hill as any landform with an elevation of 100 metres or more above local relief, and an Aravalli range as a cluster of hills within 500 metres of each other. Officials clarified that protection extends to the entire hill system, not just peaks or slopes, preventing mining even in areas below 100 metres within the defined contours.Yadav emphasised that the changes will affect only a tiny fraction—0.19 percent—of the total 1.44 lakh square kilometres of the Aravalli region, while the remainder is fully preserved. Delhi, with five Aravalli districts, does not permit any mining. The minister also pointed to initiatives like the ‘Green Aravalli’ movement, highlighting ongoing efforts to restore and conserve the mountain range’s ecological and hydrological functions.
Prior to the new framework, inconsistent definitions across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi had created regulatory ambiguity, allowing unregulated mining close to hill bases. The Supreme Court-constituted committee, including representatives from these states and technical bodies, standardised criteria and introduced safeguards such as mandatory mapping of hills on Survey of India maps, and identification of core, inviolate, and eco-sensitive areas.Existing mines may continue operations only if they adhere strictly to sustainable mining norms. Limited exemptions are permitted for critical or strategic minerals in national interest. Authorities emphasised that illegal and unregulated mining remains the primary threat to the Aravallis, and recommended the use of technology such as drone surveillance, real-time monitoring, and stricter enforcement mechanisms to prevent environmental degradation.
Experts note that clear definitions and standardised monitoring are essential not only for conservation but also for urban planning, groundwater management, and climate resilience in cities and districts adjacent to the Aravallis. By combining legal safeguards, technological oversight, and state-level uniformity, the government seeks to balance resource use with long-term ecological and urban sustainability.
