Aravalli Mining Row: Bhupender Yadav Says Misinformation Spread, Ecology Not Ignored

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said that misinformation is being circulated regarding the Supreme Court of India’s recent observations on mining in the Aravalli Range, asserting that the government has consistently worked towards conserving the country’s oldest mountain system.

Addressing the controversy, Yadav said he had studied the judgment in detail and clarified that the Supreme Court has clearly emphasised scientific conservation of the Aravalli range across Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan. He added that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the Centre has promoted what he described as a “green Aravalli” through sustained policy and conservation efforts.

The minister said this was the first time the government’s environmental initiatives relating to the Aravallis had received such recognition from the judiciary. He clarified that the technical committee constituted by the court has a limited mandate, focused only on examining mining-related concerns and not on opening the region to unrestricted activity.

On the debated “100-metre” criterion, Yadav explained that it refers to the measurement from the top to the base of a hill, and does not dilute environmental safeguards. He stressed that no mining activity is permitted in the National Capital Region (NCR) under existing regulations.

Referring to the Supreme Court ruling, Yadav said the judgment explicitly states that no new mining leases will be granted, except in cases deemed critically necessary. He also highlighted the ecological significance of the Aravalli range, which houses 20 wildlife sanctuaries and four tiger reserves.

The minister said the ruling had addressed and dispelled what he described as false narratives around the issue. He added that the court has recommended a comprehensive scientific management plan for the Aravallis, endorsing the government’s conservation studies and long-term ecological strategy.

Separately, the Forest Survey of India has flagged that mining across nearly 10,000 hills in the Aravalli range is contributing to environmental degradation and should be halted. The Central Empowered Committee had also urged intervention by the apex court to prevent further damage.

The Centre, however, argued that under the “100-metre hill” principle — applied in Rajasthan following the Richard Barfi guideline — only landforms exceeding 100 metres in height should be categorised as part of the Aravalli system.