Dispute Over Aravalli Hills: In response to protests and criticism regarding the government's new definition of the Aravalli Hills, the Union Environment Ministry stated on Sunday that there is "no immediate danger to the Aravallis' ecology" and that the hills "continue to be well-protected".
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated on both Sunday and Monday that mining would be allowed in just 0.19% of the Aravalli's entire area of 1.44 lakh square kilometers.
According to the new definition suggested by a committee under the Environment Secretary and sanctioned by the Supreme Court on November 20, any landform that rises 100 meters or more above the local terrain (or local profile) will be classified as part of the Aravalli Hills, including its slopes and surrounding land.
However, using the 100-meter benchmark and local relief — the immediate area around a hill — as the measurement base instead of a standardized baseline like the state's lowest elevation would mean that a substantial portion of the Aravalli range would no longer be classified as part of the Aravalli.
The statement from the Environment Ministry on Sunday indicated that no new mining leases will be permitted until a comprehensive study is conducted, as per the order dated November 20.
However, official statements fail to mention the ministry's disputed submissions to the highest court or the various threats to the Aravallis beyond mining, all of which have significant environmental consequences.