New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) In a bold initiative aimed at combating illegal mining and enhancing ecological safeguards, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has mandated state governments to enforce a total prohibition on issuing any new mining leases in the Aravallis, which spans the entire mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat.

The Ministry articulated that this ban will be uniformly enforced across the entire Aravalli region, emphasizing that the goal is to maintain the geological integrity of the range as a continuous ridge stretching from Gujarat to the National Capital Region and to terminate all unregulated mining operations.

To further enhance conservation efforts, the MoEF&CC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to pinpoint additional sites and zones within the Aravalli range where mining activities should be prohibited, beyond the areas already restricted by the Centre.

This identification process will consider ecological, geological, and landscape-level factors, according to the Ministry.

ICFRE has also been assigned the responsibility of crafting a detailed, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region.

The Ministry stated that this plan will be made publicly available for broad stakeholder engagement and will evaluate cumulative environmental impacts, ecological carrying capacity, conservation-critical areas, and propose measures for restoration and rehabilitation.

Officials noted that this process will significantly expand the protected areas within the Aravallis, considering local topography, ecology, and biodiversity.

For existing mines, the Centre has directed state governments to ensure strict compliance with all environmental regulations and to adhere to the Supreme Court's directives.

The Ministry further emphasized that ongoing mining efforts will be closely monitored, with new restrictions implemented to ensure environmental protection and adherence to sustainable mining practices.

Reaffirming its long-term dedication, the government of India has stated its full commitment to preserving the Aravalli ecosystem, acknowledging the range's vital role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging aquifers, and delivering essential environmental services to the region.

This initiative is viewed as one of the most robust policy interventions in recent years aimed at safeguarding the Aravallis, which is among the oldest and most ecologically sensitive mountain systems in India.