Home / Environment / Tribal Voices Rise Against Mining in Aravalli Hills
Tribal Voices Rise Against Mining in Aravalli Hills
15 Oct
Summary
- Tribal communities demand Gram Sabha consent for mining activities.
- Mining impacts groundwater, livelihoods, and violates forest rights.
- Supreme Court committee reviews Aravalli Hills definition by Nov 30.
A Supreme Court-mandated committee is nearing its November 30, 2026, deadline to report on the Aravalli Hills, having recently consulted communities in Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan. Representatives from Fifth Schedule tribal areas expressed strong concerns about ongoing mining and hill-cutting activities, citing detrimental effects on groundwater recharge, traditional livelihoods, and water security.
These communities are insisting on the mandatory consent of Gram Sabhas before any commercial or mineral extraction activities commence. They argue that bypassing these consent mechanisms, as stipulated by the PESA Act and the Forest Rights Act, infringes upon their constitutional rights. Concerns were also voiced about the severe impact of mining on water systems, including the drying of wells and contamination of streams.
The committee's work follows the Supreme Court's stay on a previous judgment that had defined the Aravallis based on a 100-meter elevation criterion. This definition had drawn criticism for potentially excluding significant portions of the hills from protection, leaving them vulnerable to development and mining. The court had previously reinforced the need for its permission for mining lease renewals.
