Aravalli protection policy expands no-mining zones across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi to safeguard biodiversity, groundwater, and ecosystems. Learn about sustainable management and government initiatives.
Aravallis Get Stronger Protection as Centre Expands No-Mining Zones
Introduction to the New Policy on Aravalli Conservation
In a major decision aimed at strengthening environmental conservation, the Government of India has announced a complete ban on the granting of new mining leases across the entire Aravalli Range — stretching from Gujarat to the National Capital Region (NCR). This action was taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to curb illegal and unregulated mining and to ensure sustainable protection of one of the world’s oldest geological formations.
The directive marks a shift from fragmented regulations to a uniform conservation approach across states that share the Aravalli landscape — including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and parts of Delhi. By integrating scientific planning with legal protections, the Centre aims to safeguard the fragile ecology, water resources, and biodiversity of this critical region.
Complete Ban on New Mining Leases
Under the new policy:
- All new mining leases across the Aravalli range are strictly prohibited until a comprehensive scientific management plan is prepared.
- The ban applies uniformly across all states in the Aravalli landscape to prevent regulatory loopholes and inter-state discrepancies.
This means that mining companies cannot obtain fresh permissions to extract minerals in any part of the Aravalli Range, which has been subject to extensive mining and environmental degradation over the years.
Expansion of Protected Zones Across the Range
To further strengthen conservation, the MoEF&CC has directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas where mining and other extractive activities must be prohibited beyond already restricted zones.
The selection of these expanded zones will be guided by:
- Ecological sensitivity
- Geological importance
- Landscape-level environmental considerations
This scientific approach is expected to bring more vulnerable stretches of the Aravalli Range under legal protection.
Science-Based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining
ICFRE has been tasked with preparing a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region.
The key purpose of this plan is to balance economic needs with ecological stability by:
- Evaluating cumulative environmental impact
- Assessing ecological carrying capacity
- Identifying conservation-critical zones
- Planning restoration and rehabilitation of degraded areas
This plan is to be science-based, consulted with stakeholders, and made public for transparency.
Strict Oversight of Existing Mining Operations
While the ban targets new mining leases, existing mining operations are not being shut down immediately. Instead, the Centre has instructed state governments to enforce:
- Enhanced environmental monitoring
- Stringent compliance with legal safeguards
- Adherence to Supreme Court orders regulating mining activity
These measures ensure that ongoing operations don’t cause further environmental harm while broader conservation plans are implemented
Why Protecting the Aravallis Matters
The Aravalli Range is more than just an old mountain system — it acts as a natural ecological buffer for North and West India:
- It helps prevent desertification.
- It supports groundwater recharge across states.
- It harbours unique biodiversity and forests.
- It stabilises regional climate and soil systems.
Unchecked mining in the past caused air pollution, land degradation and depletion of water resources, especially around urban centres like Delhi-NCR and Jaipur.
Why This News Is Important for Government Exam Aspirants
Ecological & Environmental Relevance
Understanding the Aravalli protection policy is crucial for students preparing for Civil Services, State PSCs, Defence, Banking & Insurance, and Teacher Eligibility Tests because environmental conservation is a recurrent topic in the General Awareness and Environment sections of these exams.
This news highlights the government’s environmental policy and commitment to sustainable development, which ties directly into topics such as:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Forest policy and land management
- Government regulatory frameworks
- Supreme Court directives on environmental protection
It also reflects the Union government’s strategy to combat illegal mining and protect ecologically sensitive zones — a high-value static and current affairs topic for multiple exams.
Historical Context — Protection of the Aravalli Range
The Aravalli Range, one of the oldest fold mountains in the world, stretches over 600-800 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Historically:
- It acted as a natural barrier against desert winds, protecting northern plains from desertification.
- Its forests and ridges helped recharge aquifers and sustain biodiversity.
However, decades of unregulated mining — especially limestone and marble extraction — severely degraded large parts of the range. This led to:
- Environmental deterioration
- Declining groundwater levels
- Increase in dust pollution
Continued ecological distress prompted legal action, leading to Supreme Court involvement, expert panel reviews, and eventually the recent expansion of no-mining zones and scientific management planning.
Key Takeaways from Aravalli Conservation Expansion News
| Sr. No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | Central government has banned all new mining leases in the Aravalli Range. |
| 2. | The ban applies uniformly from Gujarat to the National Capital Region (NCR). |
| 3. | ICFRE has been directed to identify additional protected zones for conservation. |
| 4. | A science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining will be prepared and publicly consulted. |
| 5. | Existing mines must operate with strict environmental oversight under state enforcement. |
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the main objective of the recent Aravalli protection policy?
A1: The main objective is to ban all new mining leases and expand no-mining zones across the Aravalli Range to protect biodiversity, groundwater, and the fragile ecosystem.
Q2: Which government body is responsible for preparing the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)?
A2: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been tasked to prepare the plan.
Q3: Which states are covered under the Aravalli conservation policy?
A3: The policy applies to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi NCR regions.
Q4: Are existing mining operations completely banned in the Aravalli Range?
A4: No, existing mines can continue operations but under strict environmental compliance and monitoring by state authorities.
Q5: Why is the Aravalli Range ecologically important?
A5: It helps in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater, supporting biodiversity, and maintaining soil and climate stability in northern India.
Q6: How does this news relate to government exams?
A6: It is relevant for exams like UPSC, State PSCs, Banking, Defence, Railways, and Teaching exams under General Awareness, Environment, and Ecology sections.
Q7: What is the historical significance of the Aravalli Range?
A7: The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and historically acted as a barrier against desertification and source of mineral and forest resources.
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