New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, stated on Tuesday that there was significant illegal mining in the Aravalli range during the tenure of the Congress party, leading citizens and environmental organizations to seek legal redress. He emphasized that the current administration is dedicated to safeguarding the delicate ecosystem through scientific and sustainable practices.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, while addressing inquiries regarding mining activities in the Aravallis under previous Congress regimes, Minister Yadav remarked, “There was substantial illegal mining, prompting public recourse to the courts. This petition originates from that timeframe. Now, following the Supreme Court’s ruling, eco-friendly, limited, and scientifically-based measures will be enforced to protect the Aravallis.”

The minister highlighted that the Supreme Court’s involvement was essential due to rampant and unlawful mining operations that inflicted considerable ecological harm on the Aravalli hills, recognized as one of the most ancient mountain ranges globally and a vital ecological barrier for northern India.

Yadav reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the Aravallis, noting that significant actions have been initiated in compliance with the apex court’s directives. “The government is entirely devoted to the protection of the Aravallis. All essential measures will be enacted to safeguard them. The Supreme Court has issued its judgment,” he affirmed.

He elaborated that the court has provided a specific definition of the Aravalli range and Aravalli hills for mining-related activities, primarily aimed at halting illegal mining. “The foremost challenge in defining mining is to cease illegal activities. Until a scientific management plan is developed, no new mining will be allowed,” Yadav stated.

The minister also noted that the responsibility for creating this extensive management plan has been assigned to the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). “Thus, the government is fully engaged, and we are actively participating in this initiative,” he added.

Citing the Supreme Court’s observations from 2018, Yadav pointed out that the judiciary had already recognized the scale of destruction caused by mining. In that year, the Supreme Court noted that 31 hills had disappeared entirely due to mining. “This is precisely why a management plan will be formulated for each district,” he stated, emphasizing that future decisions will be made with ecological sensitivity and scientific evaluation.

The minister's comments come amid intense political backlash regarding the Centre’s approach to the Aravallis.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot previously launched a vehement critique of the Central government, accusing it of orchestrating a “well-planned conspiracy” to undermine environmental protections and promote mining in the ecologically vulnerable Aravalli range.

Gehlot claimed that the initiative to redefine the Aravallis using a “100-meter” criterion was part of a broader agenda. “This is part of a larger scheme to capture institutions and hand over the Aravallis to the mining mafia,” he alleged.

In contrast, the Centre has dismissed these accusations, asserting that the Supreme Court’s directives are intended to combat illegal mining, promote sustainable development, and protect the Aravallis through a transparent, scientific, and legally valid framework.