Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat to not give any new mining permissions in the Aravallis until further directions. The court also ordered the setting up of a committee to prepare a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and range.
The panel, which has been asked to submit a report within two months, will consist of the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Forest Secretaries of the four states and one representative each from the Forest Survey of India and the Central Empowered Committee.
Striking a balance between protecting the environment and the livelihood of the people engaged in mining activities, the court stressed, however, that its order will not in any way be construed as a stay on mining already being carried out in the range with valid permits and licences. The Haryana Government had sought the Supreme Court’s approval to begin mining in the Aravallis in Gurugram and Faridabad.
Process applications A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and AS Oka said all states that are home to the Aravalli range will be free to consider and process applications and renewals for grant of mining leases, but cannot grant final permission without the court’s nod.
The Bench pointed out that illegal mining was a big issue in the Aravallis and said that different states had different definitions of the Aravalli hills and range. It said a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee had pointed to various illegal mining activities being carried out across the state of Rajasthan and had also given district-wise details.
“We believe that the issue related to mining activities in the Aravalli Hills needs to be jointly addressed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as well as all the four states,” the Bench said.
