Centre Moves to Protect Aravalli, Proposes Mining Ban and Eco Expansion

The Central government has unveiled a decisive plan to strengthen environmental protection across the Aravalli range, signalling a firm clampdown on mining activities and a push to expand protected ecological zones.

The move is aimed at preserving one of India's oldest mountain systems amid growing concerns over unchecked exploitation and environmental degradation.

Complete Ban on New Mining Leases Across Aravalli

According to an official release cited by ANI, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has instructed all states to stop granting any new mining leases in the Aravalli region. The directive seeks to ensure a complete halt to further mining permissions, irrespective of state boundaries or local regulations.

The ban will cover the entire Aravalli landscape, stretching from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to the National Capital Region, reinforcing a uniform conservation approach across the range.

Focus on Preserving a Continuous Geological Ridge

The Centre's decision is rooted in the objective of safeguarding the Aravallis as a continuous geological formation. Officials have stressed that fragmented regulation and localised permissions have previously allowed unregulated mining to damage the ecological balance of the region.

By enforcing a blanket prohibition, the government aims to prevent further disruption of the ridge's natural structure and restore environmental integrity in sensitive zones.

Eco Expansion to Curb Unregulated Activities

Alongside the mining ban, the Centre is also proposing an expansion of protected areas within the Aravalli belt. This step is expected to strengthen oversight, restrict illegal activities, and ensure long-term conservation of forests, wildlife habitats, and water recharge zones.

The initiative reflects a broader policy shift towards treating the Aravallis as a critical ecological asset rather than a resource for extraction, with long-term environmental protection taking precedence over short-term economic gains.