SC stops grant of fresh mining leases in the Aravalli range

• The Supreme Court on Thursday stopped the grant of fresh mining leases and renewals in the Aravalli ranges and hills.

Highlights:

• The FSI report defined the Aravallis to include the hills and a uniform 100-metre-wide buffer zone around the downsides of the hills.
• Until further orders, though all States wherein the Aravalli ranges are situated will be at liberty to consider and process applications for grant of mining leases and renewals thereof
  • no annual permission shall be granted for mining in the Aravalli hills and ranges as defined in the FSI report
• The court said its order should not be construed as a ban on legal mining activities carried out through valid permits and licences.
• A total ban on mining is not conducive even to the interest of the environment in as much as it gives scope for illegal mining
• The order covers Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat - the four States where the Aravallis reside.
• The prohibition on fresh mining leases and renewals would extend to statutory clearances by the various authorities.

Prelims takeaway:

• Aravalli hill ranges
• Sand mining