'No mining leases, protected zone to be expanded': Centre says will protect entire Aravallis

New Delhi: In a major steps towards the protection of entire Aravalli Range from Delhi to Gujarat from illegal mining, the Centre on Wednesday issued directions to states to ban the grant of any leases in the Aravallis.

The provision applies to all regions near the Aravalli range

The provision applies to all regions near the Aravalli range, with an aim to preserve the integrity of the landscape, The direction of the Centre has been done to safeguard the Aravallis as a geological ridge extending from Gujarat to Delhi. Apart from this, the Centre also asked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify areas in the Aravallis where mining should not be allowed, over and above the areas already prohibited for mining.

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What Centre says in notification

“ICFRE has been directed to undertake this exercise while preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region. The Plan, which will be placed in the public domain for wide stakeholder consultation, will assess the cumulative environmental impact and ecological carrying capacity, identify ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas, and lay down measures for restoration and rehabilitation,” the Centre said in a notification.

Centre asks concerned state governments to ensure strict compliance

For mines which are already in operation. The Centre asked concerned state governments to ensure strict compliance with all environmental safeguards, in conformity with the Supreme Court’s order. “Ongoing mining activities are to be regulated stringently, with additional restrictions, to ensure environmental protection and adherence to sustainable mining practices,” It added further.

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The Centre further said it stood committed towards long-term protection of the Aravalli ecosystem and recognised its critical role in “preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging aquifers, and providing environmental services for the region”.