New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, made it clear on Tuesday that the Supreme Court has not provided any leniency regarding mining activities in the Aravalli range, emphatically denying the misinformation circulating about this ecologically fragile area.

In an interview with IANS, Yadav stated, “The Supreme Court has not relaxed regulations on Aravalli mining. It has acknowledged the Ministry’s Green Aravalli Project and assigned our ICFRE institution the duty of ensuring that no new mining will take place until a thorough management plan is developed. These claims are untrue, and the public is becoming more aware of the facts.”

The minister elaborated that the Supreme Court's orders aim to eliminate illegal mining and promote sustainable and scientifically-based management of the Aravalli hills and surrounding areas. “This plan will identify the Aravalli hills, assess their ecological sensitivity, and only then will mining be considered,” he explained.

When questioned about whether the government's approach signifies a shift from past practices, Minister Yadav highlighted that the apex court established a joint committee with the Forest Survey of India, the Geological Survey of India, and the Central Empowered Committee to tackle illegal mining. “This committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court,” he added, stressing that current initiatives are informed by scientific research and judicial scrutiny.

Yadav also recalled the Supreme Court’s 2018 remarks regarding environmental degradation. In that year, the court noted that 31 hills had completely disappeared due to mining activities. “This is exactly why a management plan will be formulated for each district,” he emphasized, reaffirming the government's dedication to ecological preservation.

In response to allegations that specific regions like Chittorgarh and Madhopur were excluded from the new plan, the minister asserted, “Every region of the Aravallis will be included. No area is being left out.”

He also addressed concerns about foreign funding or NGO involvement in spreading misinformation. “Those who choose to deceive will do so willingly. However, they are failing. The public now understands the facts,” he stated.

Minister Yadav reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the Aravallis. “Every necessary measure will be implemented to protect them. The Supreme Court has rendered its judgment, and we are executing it thoroughly to prevent illegal mining, conserve biodiversity, and protect one of India’s most vital ecological regions,” he concluded.