The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark directive to the central government, demanding the creation of a comprehensive sustainable mining strategy for the ecologically sensitive Aravali mountain range. This decisive move aims to balance mineral extraction with environmental protection in one of India's most critical geological formations.
Court Halts New Mining Licenses
In a significant ruling on November 21, 2025, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai alongside Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria imposed an immediate prohibition on granting new mining licenses across the Aravali region. This moratorium will remain effective until the government finalizes and implements the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).
The court emphasized that continuing mining activities without proper expert evaluation could severely damage the region's fragile ecology. "It may not be in the interest of ecology and environment if further mining activities are permitted to be carried out without a body of experts examining the issue of protection of the conservation areas," the bench stated in its order.
Comprehensive Ecological Assessment Required
The Supreme Court has specifically instructed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to develop the MPSM through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). The plan must cover the entire Aravali range, recognized as the continuous geological ridge stretching from Gujarat to Delhi.
The court mandated that the sustainable mining blueprint should follow the model previously created for the Saranda forest region. The MPSM will provide crucial data derived from geo-referenced ecological assessments, identifying wildlife habitats and other highly sensitive areas requiring conservation.
Strict Zoning for Mining Activities
A critical component of the Supreme Court's directive involves categorizing the Aravali landscape into distinct zones based on ecological sensitivity. The MPSM must clearly delineate:
- Permissible mining areas where extraction can occur under regulated conditions
- Ecologically sensitive zones where mining will be strictly prohibited
- Conservation-critical regions requiring maximum protection
- Restoration-priority areas needing rehabilitation efforts
The bench explicitly stated that mining in protected zones should only be allowed "under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances," establishing a high threshold for any potential exemptions.
This ruling represents a crucial step toward reconciling economic development with environmental preservation in the Aravalis, which have faced significant ecological degradation due to uncontrolled mining activities over past decades. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the judicial system's commitment to enforcing sustainable development principles and protecting India's natural heritage for future generations.
