“More Than 90 Percent of the Aravalli Will Remain Protected,” Centre Clarifies

New Delhi: The Union government has firmly rejected claims that a revised definition of the Aravalli range will open the door to large scale mining, asserting that more than 90 percent of the region will continue to remain under protection. It has emphasised that a Supreme Court approved framework ensures stronger safeguards for the ancient mountain system and imposes a freeze on new mining leases until a comprehensive management plan is finalised.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav said the revised definition brings clarity while extending protection to the vast majority of the Aravalli landscape. He stressed that no relaxation has been granted for mining activity and accused critics of spreading misinformation about the policy change. According to the government, mining eligibility is limited to just 0.19 percent of the total Aravalli area, while the remaining region remains preserved.
The Supreme Court recently accepted recommendations for a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges. Under this framework, an Aravalli hill is defined as a landform rising 100 metres or more above local relief within designated districts, while an Aravalli range consists of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other. The government clarified that it is incorrect to assume that landforms below 100 metres are automatically open for mining.
Officials explained that protection applies to entire hill systems, including enclosed and surrounding landforms, not merely hilltops or slopes. The definition standardises criteria across states to remove ambiguity and prevent mining activities from operating dangerously close to hill bases, a loophole that previously allowed environmental damage.
The revised approach follows long standing practices already in place in Rajasthan, now adopted by Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi with additional safeguards. These include mandatory mapping of hills on official survey maps, identification of core and inviolate zones where mining is prohibited, and treating closely located hills as a single protected range.
As per Supreme Court directions, no new mining leases will be issued until a sustainable mining management plan is prepared for the entire Aravalli region. Existing mines may operate only under strict compliance with sustainability norms. The government noted that illegal and unregulated mining remains the primary threat and said stronger monitoring, enforcement and technology driven surveillance will be used to protect the fragile ecosystem.