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SC Bans New Mining Leases in Aravallis
20 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Supreme Court mandated a uniform definition for Aravalli hills.
- New mining leases are barred until a sustainable management plan is ready.
- The Aravalli ecosystem is vital for North India's climate and biodiversity.
The Supreme Court has mandated the creation of a uniform definition for the Aravalli hills and ordered the preparation of a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire range. This plan will be developed by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education for the MoEF&CC. Consequently, states are prohibited from issuing new mining leases until the MPSM is finalized.
The decision arises from concerns over illegal mining and the lack of a consistent definition for the Aravalli range across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. The court accepted a proposed definition, which includes any landform with an elevation of 100 meters or more from the local relief.
The MPSM will identify permissible mining areas, ecologically sensitive zones, and areas where mining is strictly prohibited. While existing leases can continue under strict regulations, new leases will only be permitted in designated areas post-plan finalization, excluding critical, strategic, and atomic minerals. The Aravalli ecosystem's importance as a green barrier and its influence on North India's climate and biodiversity were highlighted.
