The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to prepare a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the Aravalli Hills and Ranges.
The order follows years of litigation concerning illegal mining and ecological degradation across the Aravalli landscape, which stretches through Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
In May 2024, the Court had noted that different States used inconsistent definitions for the Aravalli Hills and Ranges.
It then constituted a committee to examine the issue. The committee submitted its report in October, recommending scientific definitions and measures to preserve the fragile ecosystem.
The committee defined the Aravalli Hills as any landform in the Aravalli districts rising 100 metres or more from local relief.
It described the Aravalli Range as two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other.
The Court accepted both definitions, along with the recommendation to prohibit mining in core or inviolate zones.
No Blanket Ban on Mining
A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice NV Anjaria declined to impose a complete ban on mining in the Aravallis.
The judges observed that blanket prohibitions often trigger illegal mining, criminal networks and mafia activity.
“We also accept the recommendations for sustainable mining in Aravalli Hills and Ranges and the steps to be taken for preventing illegal mining,” the Court stated.
The bench underscored the need for a scientific study similar to the one conducted for the Saranda and Chaibasa forests in Jharkhand by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
The Court said such a study would reflect the geological significance of the Aravalli range and guide sustainable mining practices.
Accordingly, the Union government has been directed to prepare an MPSM through the ICFRE for the entire Aravalli landscape.
Objectives of the MPSM
The MPSM is expected to:
- Identify ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration-priority areas where mining must be prohibited or allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
- Assess cumulative environmental impacts and the region’s ecological carrying capacity.
- Lay out detailed restoration and rehabilitation measures for post-mining landscapes.
Until the plan is finalised, the Court has barred the issuance of new mining licences.
The Court ordered that once the MPSM is completed, mining will be permitted only in zones identified for sustainable extraction.
In the interim, ongoing legal mining operations may continue but must adhere strictly to the committee’s recommendations.
Biodiversity Significance Recognised
The Court emphasised that the Aravalli Hills, home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries, four tiger reserves, Keoladeo National Park and several wetlands, form a critical ecological corridor and aquifer network that recharges major rivers including the Chambal, Sabarmati, Luni, Mahi and Banas.
The MoEF&CC may, if required, prepare district-level MPSMs, provided the continuity and integrity of the range are maintained.
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar served as amicus curiae, while the Centre and States were represented by senior legal counsels.
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