Union Environment Ministry Directs States to Enforce Supreme Court Orders on Aravalli Mining
The Union Environment Ministry has issued orders to Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to strictly enforce Supreme Court directions regarding mining in the Aravalli ranges. This follows concerns that vast tracts could be opened for mining before a management plan is finalized. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been tasked with preparing a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM). A key point of contention is the definition of the Aravalli range, with an expert committee suggesting a criterion of '100 metres above local relief,' which critics argue could exclude 92% of the hills from protection.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court prohibited fresh mining leases in the Aravalli region until a Sustainable Mining Management Plan is in place.
- The ICFRE is responsible for identifying permissible and ecologically sensitive areas within the landscape.
- Existing mines are allowed to operate only if they strictly comply with environmental norms.
- A uniform definition of the Aravalli range remains a major legal and environmental hurdle across different states.
Exam Facts
- ICFRE: Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.
- Definition criterion: '100 metres above local relief' for regulating mining.
- States involved: Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
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