There has been an uproar in many parts of the country regarding the Aravalli hills for a long time. Amidst this uproar, the Central Government has given a big statement on Sunday (December 21, 2025). The Central Government rejected all those reports regarding the Aravalli Hills, which claimed that the definition of the Aravalli Hills was changed and the Central Government has given permission for large-scale mining in the Aravalli Hills.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said in a press conference in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve on Sunday (December 21, 2025) that due to the order of the Supreme Court, a ban has already been imposed on new mining leases in the entire Aravalli Hills area. A framework approved by the Supreme Court provides stronger protection to the Aravalli mountain range than before and bans mining leases altogether until a comprehensive management plan is finalised.
Aravalli mountain range extends to 39 districts of four states – Union Minister
He said that no relaxation has been given regarding the Aravalli mountain range, which is spread over 39 districts of four states, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. Aravali’s petition has been going on since 1985. We also support the view that there should be strict rules for mining.” He said that under the definition accepted by the Supreme Court, more than 90 percent of the Aravalli region will come under the protected area, but a lot of confusion is being spread about it.
Regarding the controversy over the 100 meter criterion for the Aravalli mountain range, the government said that on the instructions of the Supreme Court, all the four states were asked to fix a definition for the Aravalli hills, so that no one gets confused and it cannot be misused, under which mining work continued near the base of the mountain.
There is protection for 100 meters from the base of the hill to the top – Union Minister
The Union Minister said that this misconception was being spread that there is protection up to 100 meters of the upper part of the Aravalli hills and digging can be done below, this is not at all the case, but even if the base of the hill is 20 meters underground, then 100 meters from there till the upper part is protected. Apart from this, if there is a gap of 500 meters between the hills of Aravalli mountain range, then that too will be considered as Aravalli range. After the arrival of this definition, more than 90 percent of the Aravali area came under protected area.
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