In a significant move for environmental conservation, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has declared a firm halt on granting any fresh mining leases in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli range. The decision is contingent upon the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) formulating a comprehensive and sustainable mining plan for the region.
Minister's Directive on Aravalli Protection
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav made this crucial announcement on 22 December 2025. His statement underscores the government's heightened focus on balancing mineral extraction with the imperative of preserving fragile ecosystems. The directive effectively puts a moratorium on new mining approvals, signaling a shift towards more regulated and scientifically-backed resource management in the ancient hill chain.
Timing Coincides with Supreme Court Review Plea
The minister's comments came on the same day the Supreme Court of India received a formal request to review its own landmark judgement delivered on 20 November 2025. That earlier verdict was related to the validity and regulation of existing mining leases in the Aravallis. The simultaneous occurrence of these two events highlights the ongoing legal and environmental tussle surrounding mining activities in this critical landscape, which spans several states including Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Role of ICFRE and the Path Forward
The onus is now on the ICFRE, a premier forestry research institution, to develop a sustainable mining blueprint. This plan is expected to outline methods for extraction that minimize ecological damage, ensure land restoration, and protect biodiversity. Until this science-based framework is submitted and approved, the status quo of no new leases will remain. This move is seen as a proactive step to prevent further degradation of the Aravallis, which act as a crucial green barrier against desertification and a vital groundwater recharge zone.
The government's stance reinforces the principle that industrial activity, especially in environmentally vulnerable areas, must be guided by long-term sustainability rather than short-term gain. Stakeholders, including mining companies, state governments, and environmental groups, will be closely watching the next steps from ICFRE and the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition.
