Aravalli Hills Mining Controversy Explained

Aravalli Hills Mining Controversy: Key Facts and Figures

Constitutional and Legal Framework:

• Supreme Court Ruling: On November 20, the Supreme Court accepted the new definition of the Aravallis, impacting protections against mining and development.
• Centre's Directive: The Centre directed states to comply with the Supreme Court ruling to prevent new mining leases until a sustainable management plan is finalized.

Definition and Impact:

• New Definition of Aravallis: The redefined Aravalli region now includes any landform with an elevation of 100 meters or more above the local relief, effectively excluding approximately 90% of the range from protection.
• Ecological Value: The Aravallis provide critical ecological services, acting as an ecological shield for Northern India, supporting rainfall and air quality, and preventing sand encroachment from the Thar Desert.

Geological and Ecological Significance:

• Age: The Aravalli Hills are over 1 billion years old, formed during the Precambrian Era.
• Length: Spanning about 700 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, with 560 km in Rajasthan.
• Biodiversity: Home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries, including 3 tiger reserves (Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra).
• Key Species: Includes tiger, leopard, sloth bear, and crocodile, crucial for sustaining the semi-arid scrub forests.

Environmental Services:

• Water Recharge: The Aravallis are crucial for aquifer recharge and seasonal rivers, maintaining groundwater and supporting towns like Faridabad and Gurugram.
• Crisis of Gaps: Deforestation and mining have caused 12 major gaps in the hills, affecting biodiversity and water retention.

Government Schemes and Action Plans:

• Aravalli Landscape Restoration Action Plan: A government initiative recognizing the Aravalli hills’ importance for drainage separation between the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
• Aravalli Green Wall Project: Acknowledges the degradation of the range and aims to implement protective measures against mining, deforestation, and urban encroachment.

Economic and Strategic Importance:

• Mineral Wealth: The Aravalli Hills contain valuable minerals (lead, zinc, copper, gold) and critical minerals (tin, graphite, lithium) necessary for high-tech manufacturing and energy transitions.
• Strategic Relevance: Reserves are considered important for national security and energy transitions, despite the Supreme Court's moratorium on new leases until a comprehensive plan is in place.

Challenges and Recommendations:

• Urban Pressure: The Aravallis face threats from urbanization, industrialization, and illegal mining, leading to ecological deterioration.
• Need for Safeguards: Calls for stricter protection measures are crucial due to increased human activity and the significant environmental degradation already observed.

Summary:

The redefinition of the Aravalli Hills poses significant ecological and environmental risks, with 90% of the area potentially opened up to mining. Given their critical role in biodiversity, water recharge, and climate regulation, the ongoing judicial interventions and government action plans are essential for sustaining this ancient landscape and addressing the threats it faces from human activities.