Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has stepped up to defend the government’s rules about mining, asserting that Aravalli mining is limited to 0.19% of the total range and will be allowed for mining. This explanation comes after a lot of people started arguing about a recent definition of the Aravalli Hills that the Supreme Court agreed to. Critics are worried that this new definition could undo years of work to protect the environment and could cause damage to the local plants and animals.

Government Clarification on Mining Scope

The minister tried to calm worries from environmental groups and opposition parties by saying that only 0.19% of the Aravalli range will be open to mining under the new definition. That’s about 217 square kilometres out of about 1.44 lakh square kilometres. He made it clear that over 90% of the range will still be protected and that the government is not making environmental rules any less strict.

Yadav says that the Supreme Court agreed on a standard way of defining the Aravalli hills. This means that land has to rise at least 100 metres above the surrounding area and be within 500 meters of other hills to count as part of the range. He said this is supposed to make classifying the area fairer and easier to understand. Mining can only happen outside of these defined areas, and there will be clear rules and scientific studies required before any digging can start.

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Regulatory and Environmental Safeguards

Yadav also said that the government is not giving out any new mining permits until they finish a complete plan for how to mine in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment. The Supreme Court told them to make this plan, and it will show which areas are okay for mining. It will also protect important places like water sources, forests, and animal habitats.

The government also pointed out that current protections, like bans on mining in important areas such as Delhi’s Aravalli area, are still in place. Officials said that the new definition doesn’t automatically mean mining can happen in all low-lying areas. Instead, they will use strict rules based on scientific studies to decide where mining can happen.

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Public and Political Response

Even though the minister is trying to reassure people, there have been protests in North India. Activists are worried that even a small amount of mining could cause problems for groundwater, local plants and animals, and air quality in the long run. Opposition leaders are saying that the government is making protections weaker and want them to do more to protect one of India’s oldest and most important mountain ranges.

In closing his defence, Bhupender Yadav said that Aravalli mining limited to 0.19% of the Aravalli range doesn’t mean they are relaxing conservation efforts. Instead, he said it shows they are using rules and science to find a balance between protecting the environment and following the law. He insisted that most of the Aravallis will remain protected for future generations.

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