The Central Government has given fresh instructions to the states on the burning issue related to the environment. It has been said that there will be a complete ban on granting new mining leases in the Aravalli region. This means that there will be a complete ban on approving new leases for mining in the entire Aravalli range extending from Delhi to Gujarat. After the order of the Supreme Court last November, the Environment Ministry had earlier warned the states in this regard.
What was said in the consultation of 21 December?
In the advisory dated December 21, it was said that no new lease for mining should be given till the MPSM i.e. Sustainable Mining Management Plan is finalised. This advisory was issued after the order of the Supreme Court. It was said in the order that until the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education i.e. ICFRE prepares a management plan, no new lease can be granted for mining.
What do the instructions of December 24 say?
New instructions from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change state that the moratorium on granting approval for new mining will be applicable to the entire Aravalli region. Its objective is to preserve the integrity of the Aravali range. These directions aim to conserve the Aravallis as a continuous geological chain extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region and to stop all unregulated mining activities.
What will ICFRE do?
According to the Environment Ministry, ICFRE has been asked to identify additional areas in the entire Aravalli region where mining should be banned. This is in addition to those areas where the Center has already banned mining. ICFRE has been asked to prepare a holistic and science-based management plan. This plan will then be made public so that all stakeholders can be consulted on it. Its environmental assessment and ecological potential will also be looked at so that sensitive areas can be identified for conservation. Also, measures can be taken for restoration or rehabilitation of such areas.
Also read- Aravalli Mining Controversy: ‘Along with the economy, the environment is also…’, now the Central Government has given clarification on the Aravalli dispute.
The scope of protected and restricted areas will become wider
The ministry said that this initiative of the Center will further expand the scope of protected and restricted areas for mining in the entire Aravali region. In this, local geographical ecology and biodiversity will be kept in mind.
Also read- Why are Aravalli hills in discussion: A ‘proposal’ created a stir, how did the campaign become an issue of its conservation?
What will happen to the mines already in operation?
The Center has also directed that in case of mines which are already running, the state governments will have to strictly follow all the environmental standards and work as per the orders of the Supreme Court. Existing mining activities will have to be strictly regulated and additional restrictions will have to be imposed to ensure environmental protection.
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