Mining only in 0.19% of Aravalli, after detailed study: Minister

Addressing a press conference, Yadav sought to clarify that the new definition would make only 0.19%, or 277 sq km, of the Aravallis eligible for mining. As per data provided by the Environment Ministry, out of a total area of 1,43,577 sq km spanning the 37 districts in the Aravalli ranges, the area covered by mining leases would be 277.89 sq km. Of this, 247.21 sq km is in 20 districts of Rajasthan, 27.35 sq km in Gujarat and 3.33 sq km in Haryana.

Yadav said that as per the Supreme Court’s orders, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) would prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).

Illegal mining is a major concern in the Aravalli range. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

“The court asked to form a technical committee only for the purpose of the mining sector, and this (new definition) is also restricted to the purpose of mining. Even after this definition, the order has stated that no new mining leases would be given,” Yadav said. The only exception, he said, would be made in the case of critical, strategic and atomic minerals.

“They (ICFRE) will prepare a detailed district-by-district plan. It will be clarified which hill can be mined or not,” Yadav said.

The technical expert committee, led by Union Environment Ministry officials, had submitted the uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges to the Supreme Court.

The Indian Express had first reported on November 27 that the new definition left more than 90% of the range out of the Aravalli umbrella, and vulnerable to mining and construction.

Seeking to explain the new definition, Yadav had said on Sunday that it does not relate only to a hill’s elevation of 100 metres, but also considers its entire spread at the base. “…The height of 100 metres will be me­asured from the base of the mountain structure, and mining will not be allowed around or beneath the hill’s structure.”

Reading from the Supreme Court’s November 20 judgment, Yadav, on Monday, sought to underline that the expert committee’s recommendations on core and inviolate areas were accepted by the court. Meanwhile, he added, the ICFRE study would also identify permissible areas for mining, ecologically sensitive, conservation critical, and restoration-priority areas within the Aravalli landscape.

The Aravallis act as a green barrier, preventing desertification in the Indo-Gangetic plains, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. The Supreme Court had noted in its judgment that the mountain range faces escalating degradation pressures.

It had said that taking all aspects of the matter into consideration, especially the rich biodiversity, the protected areas, aquifers and wetlands, a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining should be prepared before permitting sustainable mining activities.