Supreme Court asks Centre to prepare sustainable mining plan for Aravali Range

The Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) through Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) for the entire Aravalis, i.e., understood as the continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to Delhi.

A CJI BR Gavai led bench has ordered that the MPSM must:

a. Identify permissible areas for mining, ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration priority areas within the Aravali landscape where mining shall be strictly prohibited or permitted only under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances;

b. Incorporate a thorough analysis of cumulative environmental impacts and the ecological carrying capacity of the region; and

c. Include detailed post-mining restoration and rehabilitation measures. 

Court has further directed that till the MPSM is finalised by the MoEF&CC through ICFRE, no new mining leases should be granted.

The bench also comprising Justices Chandran and Anjaria has directed that upon the MPSM being finalised by MoEF&CC in consultation with the ICFRE, mining would be permitted as per the MPSM only in those areas wherein sustainable mining could be permitted.

In the meantime, the mining activities in the mines which are already in operation would be continued in strict compliance with the recommendations made by the Committee, the judgment adds. 

The Supreme Court noted that scientific assessments of the Aravali Range establish the fact that the Aravali ecosystem acts as a “green barrier” and forms an effective “shield” against desertification by preventing the eastward spread of the Thar Desert towards the Indo-Gangetic plains, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. 

Amicus Curiae raised an issue before Court as to whether continuation of the mining activities in Aravali Hills and Ranges was in the larger public interest or not. The Amicus had therefore suggested that the issues with regard to the Aravali Hills and Ranges be examined by the Central Empowered Committee.

The Committee recommended prohibition of mining in core/inviolate areas except in cases of critical, strategic and atomic minerals.

Taking all aspects of the matter into consideration, especially the fact that the Aravali Hills and Ranges harbour rich biodiversity, with twenty-two wildlife sanctuaries, four tiger reserves, the Keoladeo National Park, along with wetlands like Sultanpur, Sambhar, Siliserh, and Asola Bhati, and aquifers that recharge river systems including the ones at Chambal, Sabarmati, Luni, Mahi, and Banas, the court observed it to be more than appropriate that before permitting further sustainable mining activities, the same are preceded by preparation of an MPSM. 

"We are of the considered view that it may not be in the interest of ecology and environment if further mining activities are permitted to be carried out without a body of experts, such as ICFRE, examining the issue of protection of the conservation areas. The MPSM will provide adequate data on the basis of geo-referenced ecological assessment and identify the areas which have wildlife and other high eco-sensitive areas, which are required to be conserved. The MPSM will also provide data as to how sustainable mining is to be conducted", the bench further noted.

Supreme Court further said that, insofar as a ban on mining is concerned, it did not propose to impose any such ban on the present legal mining activities that are already being undertaken in the Aravali Hills and Ranges.  

CASE TITLE: IN RE : ISSUE RELATING TO DEFINITION OF ARAVALI HILLS AND RANGES

Bench: CJI Gavai, Justice Chandran and Justice Anjaria

Judgment Date: November 20, 2025