The Supreme Court has prohibited new mining leases in the Aravali hills to protect them from desertification, while allowing existing operations to continue. The court mandated the preparation of a sustainable mining management plan for the entire range across four states, emphasizing ecological impact analysis and restoration measures. NEW DELHI: To protect the Aravali hills and ranges – the only barrier against desertification of the Gangetic plains – Supreme Court Thursday barred grant of mining leases, but allowed existing ones to operate, while asking the Centre to prepare a management plan for sustainable mining for the entire range spread across four states.This is the last judgment to be authored by CJI B R Gavai, who as head of the green bench had zealously protected environment, ecology and forests while balancing the court’s directions with sustainable development principles.The bench of CJI Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria accepted the definition of Aravali hills and ranges recommended by an expert committee and prohibited mining in core/inviolate areas, with certain exceptions. The committee had recommended prohibition of mining in core/inviolate areas, except for extraction of critical, strategic and atomic minerals.’Aravali plan should have thorough analysis of cumulative green impact’ While accepting the recommendations for sustainable mining in the Aravali hills and ranges, and prevention of illegal mining, the bench directed the environment and forest ministry to prepare an MPSM through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education for the entire Aravalis, which is spread across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.The Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) must identify “permissible areas for mining, ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration-priority areas within the Aravali landscape where mining shall be strictly prohibited or permitted only under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances”, it said. The plan must also incorporate a thorough analysis of cumulative environmental impacts and the ecological carrying capacity of the region and include detailed post-mining restoration and rehabilitation measures, the bench said.”We further direct that till MPSM is finalised by MoEF&CC through ICFRE, no new mining leases should be granted,” the bench said, adding that allotment of new mining leases would be considered by govts concerned only after MPSM is prepared and identifies areas in Aravali where sustainable mining could be permitted. “In the meantime, mining activities in the mines which are already in operation would be continued in strict compliance with the recommendations made by the (expert) committee,” it said.SC said the Aravali mountain range faces “escalating degradation pressures” because of several factors – deforestation, unsustainable grazing, illegal and excessive mining, and urban encroachment – cumulatively causing widespread damage to the ecosystem.SC said the Aravali hills and ranges harbour rich biodiversity, with 22 wildlife sanctuaries, four tiger reserves, Keoladeo National Park, along with wetlands like Sultanpur, Sambhar, Siliserh and Asola Bhati, and aquifers that recharge river systems, including the ones at Chambal, Sabarmati, Luni, Mahi, and Banas, and insisted on preparation of MPSM.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia And Israel Launch FTA Talks; Piyush Goyal, Nir Barkat Sign Terms Of ReferenceDelhi’s Pollution Forces Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong To Cough, Stop Her Speech MidwayJaishankar Meets Afghan Commerce Minister Azizi In Delhi; Trade, Connectivity DiscussedMEA Outlines Agenda For PM Modi’s South Africa Visit For G20 Summit In JohannesburgPenny Wong’s Cricket Banter With Jaishankar Highlights Warm, Confident India-Australia PartnershipJaishankar, Penny Wong Send A Strong India-Australia Message To China And The World on Indo-PacificIFFI 2025 Opens With A Surprise As Korean Minister Sings Vande Mataram And Wins Standing OvationPiyush Goyal’s 10 D’s Pitch in Israel Recasts India As Future-Ready for Worldwide InvestmentsDelhi Student Suicide Case: Massive Protest Outside School After Note Alleges Harassment By TeachersPiyush Goyal Links India, Israel Through Shared Adversities, Predicts 7% Percent GDP Growth For FY26123PhotostoriesHow top Bollywood actresses are embracing a life changing new lifestyleFrom better brain function to stronger heart: 5 reasons why backward walking is excellent for youPrincess Diana finally enters the Grévin Wax Museum and yes, she’s wearing the iconic ‘Revenge Dress’Dipika Kakar breaks down after meeting her oncologist amid liver cancer treatment; says, ‘The reports are normal, but there is a constant fear and anxiety’Peripheral Artery Disease: 5 major causes, and ways to prevent it9 must-try street foods in Udaipur5 expert-approved best foods to control diabetes5 spectacular animals with the biggest horns on their heads10 father-son duos who left a mark on cricket historyHyderabad Metro’s big upgrade: Six-coach trains, faster rides to end commuter chaos soon123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingJoel EmbiidSavannah JamesGiannis AntetokounmpoTrevon DiggsKris KnoblauchAdin RossCandace OwensKona TakahashiKatie JohnsonOlivia Dunne
NEW DELHI: To protect the Aravali hills and ranges – the only barrier against desertification of the Gangetic plains – Supreme Court Thursday barred grant of mining leases, but allowed existing ones to operate, while asking the Centre to prepare a management plan for sustainable mining for the entire range spread across four states.This is the last judgment to be authored by CJI B R Gavai, who as head of the green bench had zealously protected environment, ecology and forests while balancing the court’s directions with sustainable development principles.The bench of CJI Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria accepted the definition of Aravali hills and ranges recommended by an expert committee and prohibited mining in core/inviolate areas, with certain exceptions. The committee had recommended prohibition of mining in core/inviolate areas, except for extraction of critical, strategic and atomic minerals.‘Aravali plan should have thorough analysis of cumulative green impact’ While accepting the recommendations for sustainable mining in the Aravali hills and ranges, and prevention of illegal mining, the bench directed the environment and forest ministry to prepare an MPSM through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education for the entire Aravalis, which is spread across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.The Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) must identify “permissible areas for mining, ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration-priority areas within the Aravali landscape where mining shall be strictly prohibited or permitted only under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances”, it said. The plan must also incorporate a thorough analysis of cumulative environmental impacts and the ecological carrying capacity of the region and include detailed post-mining restoration and rehabilitation measures, the bench said.“We further direct that till MPSM is finalised by MoEF&CC through ICFRE, no new mining leases should be granted,” the bench said, adding that allotment of new mining leases would be considered by govts concerned only after MPSM is prepared and identifies areas in Aravali where sustainable mining could be permitted. “In the meantime, mining activities in the mines which are already in operation would be continued in strict compliance with the recommendations made by the (expert) committee,” it said.SC said the Aravali mountain range faces “escalating degradation pressures” because of several factors – deforestation, unsustainable grazing, illegal and excessive mining, and urban encroachment – cumulatively causing widespread damage to the ecosystem.SC said the Aravali hills and ranges harbour rich biodiversity, with 22 wildlife sanctuaries, four tiger reserves, Keoladeo National Park, along with wetlands like Sultanpur, Sambhar, Siliserh and Asola Bhati, and aquifers that recharge river systems, including the ones at Chambal, Sabarmati, Luni, Mahi, and Banas, and insisted on preparation of MPSM.
