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Aravalli Mining Rumors Debunked: How Supreme Court's Green Project Protects Hills

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has set the record straight on Aravalli mining. He clarified that the Supreme Court has not granted any relaxation but has instead recognized the government's Green Aravalli Project. The minister explained that a scientific management plan must be prepared before any future mining can even be considered. The government is fully committed to implementing the court's directives to protect this critical ecological zone.

Key Points: Bhupender Yadav Clarifies Supreme Court's Aravalli Mining Ruling

  • Minister Yadav strongly refutes false rumors about mining relaxation in the Aravalli range
  • The Supreme Court has recognized the government's Green Aravalli Project for scientific management
  • No new mining will be allowed until a comprehensive district-level management plan is prepared
  • The plan aims to identify hills, assess eco-sensitivity, and curb illegal mining permanently
2 min read

SC has recognised Ministry's Green Aravalli Project; rumours unfounded: Bhupender Yadav (IANS Exclusive)

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav refutes false mining relaxation rumors, details the Supreme Court-backed Green Aravalli Project and commitment to protect the ecologically sensitive range.

"The Supreme Court has given no relaxation on Aravalli mining. It has recognised the Ministry’s Green Aravalli Project. – Bhupender Yadav"

New Delhi, Dec 23

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday clarified that the Supreme Court has not granted any relaxation for mining in the Aravalli range, strongly refuting rumours and misinformation being circulated about the ecologically sensitive region.

Speaking to IANS, Yadav said, “The Supreme Court has given no relaxation on Aravalli mining. It has recognised the Ministry’s Green Aravalli Project and assigned responsibility to our ICFRE institution that no new mining will be allowed until a comprehensive management plan is prepared. These rumours are false, and the public now knows the truth.”

The minister explained that the Supreme Court’s directives focus on stopping illegal mining and ensuring sustainable, scientific management of the Aravalli hills and the broader range. “Under this plan, the Aravalli hills and the Aravalli range will be identified, their eco-sensitivity assessed, and only then can mining be considered,” he said.

Asked whether the government’s approach is a new departure from past practices, Minister Yadav noted that the apex court had formed a joint committee with the Forest Survey of India, the Geological Survey of India, and the Central Empowered Committee to address illegal mining. “This committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court,” he said, emphasising that the current measures are guided by science and judicial oversight.

Minister Yadav also recalled the Supreme Court’s 2018 observations highlighting environmental damage. In 2018, the Supreme Court said 31 hills had completely vanished due to mining. “That is precisely why a management plan will be prepared for every district,” he said, underlining the government’s commitment to ecological protection.

Refuting claims that certain areas like Chittorgarh and Madhopur were being excluded from the new plan, the minister asserted, “All parts of the Aravallis will be included. No area is being excluded.”

He further addressed allegations of foreign funding or NGO involvement behind the spread of misinformation. “Those who want to lie will do so by choice. But they are not succeeding. The public now knows the truth,” he said.

Minister Yadav reiterated that the government remains fully committed to protecting the Aravallis. “All necessary steps will be taken to protect them. The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment, and we are implementing it in letter and spirit to curb illegal mining, preserve biodiversity, and safeguard one of India’s most critical ecological zones,” he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some sense! The rumours about mining relaxation were causing so much anxiety. The Green Aravalli Project sounds promising, but execution is key. Hope they stick to the "no new mining until plan is ready" rule strictly.
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Aman W
The fact that 31 hills vanished is shocking and a national shame. While the minister's words are reassuring, we need to see concrete action on the ground. The joint committee must have real teeth to stop illegal mining.
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Sarah B
As someone living in Gurgaon, the Aravallis are crucial for our water table and air quality. Glad the Supreme Court is overseeing this. The mention of foreign funding rumours is interesting – shows how messy environmental debates can get.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I want to see the management plan details made public. "Scientific management" can sometimes be a vague term. Transparency in the ICFRE's assessment and the final plan is non-negotiable for public trust.
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Nisha Z
Good step! Protecting the Aravallis is protecting our future. The minister's clear statement that all parts will be included is crucial. Hope the local communities are also consulted in this process. Jai Hind!

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