New Delhi: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will soon prepare a district-wise assessment to identify hills that qualify as part of the Aravalli Range, strictly for regulating mining activities, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said.
Addressing concerns raised by environmental groups and social media claims, the minister clarified that no new mining leases would be issued in the region.
He said the exercise follows a November 20 Supreme Court order directing ICFRE to frame a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining across the Aravallis. The plan will demarcate no-mining zones, identify areas where tightly regulated mining may be allowed, map sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors, assess ecological impact, and outline restoration measures.
The court modelled the framework on Jharkhand’s Saranda forest plan, stressing scientific oversight and transparency. Yadav added that only 237 sq km of the 1.47 lakh sq km Aravalli region is eligible for mining, dismissing allegations of large-scale exploitation.
