The Centre on Sunday (December 21, 2025) rejected reports that the definition of the Aravalli hills had been changed to allow large-scale mining, and cited a Supreme Court-ordered freeze on new mining leases in the region.
It said a Supreme Court-approved framework provides for stronger protection of the mountain system and places a freeze on new mining leases until a comprehensive management plan is finalised.
How is the Aravalli range to be protected? | Explained
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav told reporters in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve that the Supreme Court-approved definition will bring more than 90% of the Aravalli region under “protected area.”
In an explanation issued amid controversy over the “100-metre” criterion, the government said the definition of Aravalli hills and range has been standardised across states on the directions of the Supreme Court to remove ambiguity and prevent misuse, particularly practices that allowed mining to continue dangerously close to hill bases.
