No Mining Allowed In Delhi-NCR: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Over Aravalli Protest

The article reports that the Environment Ministry maintains a ban on mining in the Aravalli core zone and NCR, with a Supreme Court approved framework preserving roughly 90 percent of the landscape. It covers protests in Rajasthan, government clarifications on mining eligibility, and the official definitions shaping future regulation.

Protests over mining in the Aravallis spread across Rajasthan as Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav insisted that extraction remains banned in the sensitive core zone and in the National Capital Region. Yadav stressed that a Supreme Court freeze on fresh mining leases still applies and said the judgement does not open the door for new mining in the Aravalli range.

The Centre also stated that over 90 per cent of the Aravalli landscape will stay notified as a protected area under a Supreme Court-approved framework. Officials said this framework keeps all new mining leases on hold until a full management plan for the Aravalli range is prepared and cleared.

Aravalli range mining protests and political response

Congress workers and activists from several organisations gathered in multiple locations in Rajasthan, shouting slogans for strict conservation of the Aravallis. Demonstrators demanded clear assurances against mining and other projects. Tension rose at some protest spots as participants clashed with the police while trying to push through barricades during marches focused on Aravalli range mining concerns.

Addressing accusations from the Congress and other critics that policy changes would damage the hills, Yadav rejected these charges and said opponents were misrepresenting facts on Aravalli range mining. Responding to media questions after a meeting on Project Elephant and the National Tiger Conservation Authority in the Sundarbans, Yadav said "no relaxation has been granted" for Aravalli protection and claimed "lies" were being spread.

Aravalli range mining rules and minister’s clarification

Yadav underlined that the core stretch of the hills remains off-limits. "Let me clarify that mining is not permitted in the NCR (National Capital Region), so the question doesn't even arise. The judgment of the Supreme Court also states that no new mining leases will be granted. In the core area of ​​the Aravalli range, mining is simply not allowed," he said during his clarification on Aravalli range mining rules.

The minister further argued that a recent Supreme Court order had been misread. Bhupender Yadav said the Aravalli range is the oldest mountain range in the country and that the top court’s ruling had actually strengthened safeguards. Yadav said the court had asked authorities to focus on conservation measures and expansion of green cover linked to Aravalli range mining restrictions.

Aravalli range mining eligibility and protected area share

Sharing figures, Yadav stated that only a very small share of the full Aravalli spread can ever qualify for mining activity. "In the total area of 1. 44 lakh square kilometres of the Aravalli, mining eligibility can only be in 0.19 per cent of the area. The rest of the entire Aravalli is preserved and protected," said Yadav. The Centre added that around 90 per cent of the region will continue under protection tags despite debates on Aravalli range mining.

Earlier, Yadav also said the Supreme Court judgement had encouraged more ecological work. "I have seen this judgment... and I want to say that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Aravalli hills have actually expanded. The court's judgment stated that steps should be taken to protect and expand the Aravalli range The number of hills has increased, particularly in Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan. We have worked on the green belt of Delhi," he said while discussing environmental projects and their impact on Aravalli range mining limitations.

The area and mining eligibility figures for the Aravalli region mentioned by the minister are:

Supreme Court definition and Aravalli range mining interpretation

The Supreme Court on November 20, 2025, accepted recommendations from a committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on how to define Aravalli Hills and Ranges. According to the new standard, "Aravalli Hill is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief" and an "Aravalli Range is a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other". These criteria guide mapping and regulation for Aravalli range mining.

The government said it is "incorrect to conclude" that landforms under 100 metres are automatically available for extraction. Officials clarified that the 100-metre benchmark applies to whole hill systems and enclosed landforms, not just peaks or slopes. They argued that a uniform definition across states reduces ambiguity and curbs practices that earlier allowed Aravalli range mining operations dangerously close to the base of hill structures.

Amid the ongoing protests and political debate, Yadav posted on X, saying "Stop spreading misinformation!" and insisted that the new framework approved by the Supreme Court gives stronger legal backing to conservation efforts. The Centre maintains that there has been no dilution of rules, while protesters continue to demand strict on-ground enforcement against any Aravalli range mining in protected zones.