Supreme Court Directs Rajasthan Government to Halt Illegal Mining in Aravallis

In a significant development, the Supreme Court directed the Government of Rajasthan to immediately halt illegal mining activities in the Aravalli range and questioned the actions taken against officials who permitted such activities. This directive came after a Forest Survey of India (FSI) report in 2018 revealed the disappearance of 31 hillocks due to rampant illegal mining.

During the court proceedings, Advocate K Parmeshwar, acting as amicus curiae, highlighted the continuation of illegal mining despite the FSI report. He criticized the Rajasthan Government’s definition of the Aravalli hills, which only considers hills above 100 meters as part of the Aravallis, where mining is banned. Parmeshwar argued that such a definition defies logic, considering the contiguous nature of the Aravalli range, and called for a uniform environmental impact assessment for the entire range before granting mining leases.

The bench, headed by Justice BR Gavai, expressed concern over the issue and inclined towards issuing an order to halt the issuance of new mining leases in the state. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, informed the court about an upcoming meeting between FSI officials and state departments to address the matter, urging the court to await the outcome.

The Supreme Court emphasized the need to stop illegal mining activities, stating that the current rule allowing mining below 100 meters is problematic. The court highlighted the environmental significance of the Aravalli range, acting as a climate barrier and preventing desertification.

The ban on mining in the Aravalli region was initially imposed by the Supreme Court in 2002, covering both Haryana and Rajasthan. However, despite the ban, illegal mining has persisted, leading to environmental degradation. The FSI report identified over 3,000 illegal mining sites across Rajasthan and Haryana, underscoring the urgent need for enforcement of the ban.

The court stressed the importance of balancing sustainable development with environmental protection and called for collective efforts to safeguard the Aravalli range. Amicus curiae proposed interim directions to enforce the ban across the range and prevent the issuance of new mining leases.

The Supreme Court adjourned the matter for further hearing on May 9, awaiting updates from the upcoming meeting between FSI officials and state departments. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome will be closely watched to ensure the preservation of the Aravalli range and environmental sustainability.

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