A campaign to save Aravali is going on in the entire country including Rajasthan. The campaign started when the Supreme Court approved the new definition of Aravali. According to this definition 100 meter or higher hill Only this will be considered as Aravali. It is worrying that the 2010 forest survey
.
Congress is continuously cornering the central government on this issue. The central government and BJP claim that this definition is stricter than before. This decision does not at all mean that all areas of Aravalli with height less than 100 meters will be opened for mining.
Many questions are being raised in this whole matter…
- More than 90% of the mountains are less than 100 meters high, can they cease to exist now?
- After all, why was the height formula kept at only 100 meters?
- Could illegal mining begin on a large scale?
- The biggest question is why illegal mining has been happening for decades?
Bhaskar met Aravali researcher Prof. M.K. Know the answers to these questions by talking to Pandit and other experts…
Bhaskar: Why did illegal mining continue in Aravali for decades? What did the mafia keep taking advantage of?
Expert: Illegal mining has been an issue in Aravali for decades. The mining mafia has been taking advantage of these situations…
- There is no clear rule or formula regarding mining in Aravali. The mountains are being dug in collusion.
- Aravalli states including Rajasthan are defining these hills and ranges in their own ways.
- There is confusion everywhere that mining can happen at some places and permission cannot be obtained at other places.
- Illegal mining cannot be stopped amid the conditions of confusion, which the mafia is taking advantage of.
This photo is of Neemkathana. Despite all the claims, illegal mining has been going on in Aravali for years.
Bhaskar: When and why did the Supreme Court intervene in the Aravali mining case? Expert: In 1992, activist MC Mehta went to the Supreme Court in Delhi to protest against illegal mining of Aravali. The court accepted that the mafia is taking advantage of the absence of any clear formula. In 1996, a complete ban was imposed on illegal construction in the Aravalli area in Delhi and in 2002, there was a complete ban on mining in Delhi NCR. In 2009, mining was banned in all the Aravalli districts. Asked to take action against the illegal mining mafia of Rajasthan and Haryana.
The Supreme Court gave many orders in between during the hearing. Ordered to constitute a committee in March 2024 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to decide the right formula for mining in Aravalli.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was formed in May 2024. This committee included Forest and Environment Secretaries of the Center and States, representatives of Geological Survey of India and Forest Survey of India (FSI). This committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of the committee formed under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 20 November 2025 and recognized this definition.
Bhaskar: Why did the Supreme Court take the height of only 100 meters in its order? Expert: The recommendations of the committee formed under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) state that a hill will be considered part of the Aravali only if its height is 100 meters or more. Apart from this, the committee has said in its recommendations…
- There should be complete scientific mapping of Aravali in the respective states.
- The impact of mining on the environment should be investigated
- There is a complete ban on mining in sensitive areas. These include protected forests, water sources, tiger corridors, aquifer recharge zones and Delhi-NCR region.
- Strict control on stone crushing units
- There should be no new lease or renewal until proper mapping and study is completed.
The Supreme Court has accepted these recommendations. The 100 meter formula was adopted by the Rajasthan government in 2003 for its mining policies to allow mining on low-lying hills (less than 100 metres), but controversy continued.
The committee formed on the orders of the Supreme Court also accepted the 100 meter formula, then the Supreme Court has also accepted the same principle.
Experts believe that the Supreme Court has given a balanced decision. The court intends that Aravalli should be protected and mining permissions should also be given under special circumstances.
Bhaskar: Will the formula of 100 meters be considered for the straight height of the mountain (absolutely vertical part) or will it include the slopes around the peak? Expert: The entire and all structures of the mountain will be covered. When we talk about the height of a mountain, it does not just mean the vertical height point of the peak (peak). The height of the mountain includes the entire mountain, from the peak to where the slope ends. The height of a mountain includes all types of slopes, whether straight or inclined.
Bhaskar: How justified is the government’s argument that the same 100 meter rules will apply to all types of small hills between two mountains 100 meters or more high, even if the distance is half a kilometre? Expert: This argument of the government is absolutely correct. This is also the purpose of the Supreme Court order. The Aravali range has also been clarified in the new definition. It says that if two or more 100 meter Aravalli hills are within five hundred meters of each other, then they will not be considered separate. All the hills in between will be considered as an Aravalli range. It is clear that the land between these hills, small mounds and valleys will also be part of the same category. This makes the picture clear that mining or construction will not be possible between such hills and the entire area will remain safe.
Bhaskar: Are former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot saying that after the height formula is introduced, the small hills of Aravalli will be destroyed by mining? Expert: First of all, the apprehension that exists among the common people regarding Aravalli cannot be called baseless. Whether a person is more or less educated, everyone knows that Aravali is the lifeline of Rajasthan. Rajasthan benefits a lot from Aravali. The biggest danger is not from legal mining, but from illegal mining.
According to FSI’s internal data, there are a total of 12,081 hill slope areas in Rajasthan whose height is above 20 metres. Of those, only 1,048 hills are more than 100 meters high. Only about 8.7 percent meet the criteria.
Now the question is, how did apprehensions arise among the common people? It can be easily understood that we have seen ending hills around us or on small and big roads.
In such a situation, a perception is formed in the mind that if mining starts, all the hills will be destroyed. Keeping in view the apprehensions of the common people, the government will have to curb illegal mining. So that trust can be established among the people. Only through this will Aravali be protected.
As per the directions of the Supreme Court, a Sustainable Mining Management Plan (MPSM) has to be made for Aravali. Till its preparation, new mining leases will be put on hold. The government will have to clearly explain in this plan how Aravali will be protected. The process of mining etc. will happen only after that.
Many Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh, are cornering the government over Aravali.
Bhaskar: Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav has another argument that there are so many reserve areas (forest area, wild life) in Aravalli. SanctuaryNational Park, Eco Sensitive Zone) or mining cannot take place at all? Expert: If we look at this issue beyond the decision of the Supreme Court, even when the decision of the Supreme Court was not in force, mining was not taking place in the forest area or other reserve areas. If there is a ban on any kind of mining in the reserve area, then obviously approval cannot be obtained. Yes, illegal mining is a different matter.
Reserve areas also have a buffer zone (a circle of area outside the sanctuary or national park). Mining cannot take place even in this buffer zone. As per the rules, there are many conditions for mining.
The government marks the area for mining. Mining can happen only where there are minerals. The entire Aravalli region is not mineable. It is clear that the government’s argument that mining cannot be done in most of the Aravalli area seems quite justified.
Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has said that no new mining lease will be given in Aravali until the scientists make their plan. Of the total 1.44 lakh square km Aravalli, only 0.19% is suitable for mining.
Bhaskar: Can the 100 meter principle further encourage illegal mining? Expert: The biggest threat to Aravali is illegal mining. There is no control on this. Talking about legal mining, it is a technical process. In this the government studies the minerals and decides on the blocks. Then private or government agencies go through many processes before doing mining. There is nothing like this in illegal mining. Unless illegal mining is stopped, no matter how much we talk about protecting Aravali, it will remain meaningless.
Bhaskar: What will be the next step of the government after the Supreme Court order? Expert: It is clear from what the Supreme Court has said regarding the 100 meter high hill that no mining of any kind will be possible on the concerned hills. The government will not be able to allow mining on such hills in future.
According to the guidelines given by the Supreme Court, the governments of the Central and Aravalli states including Rajasthan will have to prepare a plan. The Supreme Court has directed to prepare a sustainable mining management plan for Aravali. The government will have to clearly explain in this plan how Aravali will be protected? The process of mining etc. will happen only after that.
Apart from this, permission will be given in the remaining area (less than 100 meters height) only when the Central and State Governments prepare a detailed plan. The plan will focus only on preserving the natural environment. Mining will not be allowed in Aravalli before the plan is prepared.
Bhaskar – How important is Aravali for the environment of Rajasthan and for us? Expert: Aravali is the backbone of water, climate and environmental balance for Rajasthan. If Aravalli had not existed, then…
- The desert would keep moving forward. Aravali has stopped the desert.
- Ground water level will fall. The Aravalli hills channelize the rain water and give it the form of rainy rivers.
- Because of Aravali the soil remains in its place. When mountains are eroded, soil is washed away and fields become barren.
- Acts as a wall against dust storms. Prevents hot winds and dust storms coming from the west. Aravali also prevents respiratory diseases.
- The destruction of Aravali will lead to the extinction of many species of fauna and flora. This will disturb the balance of nature.
- Aravali is linked to our culture. The destruction of Aravali is the destruction of our cultural heritage.
—
Also read this news related to Aravalli…
The pink city will turn yellow, Udaipur without lakes; See the danger of extinction of Aravalli through AI
Tourists will not come to Udaipur, the city of lakes. Because there will be no water in the lakes, only cracks due to drought.
The color of the pink city Jaipur will turn yellow due to dust. The temperature in Suryanagari Jodhpur will reach 50 degrees. Read the full news…
Source link
[ad_3]
