Centre failed to define Aravali hills despite over a year’s effort, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Centre failed to define the Aravali hills despite a year-long effort involving multiple committees and institutions.
• A new sub-committee, formed after a Supreme Court warning, shifted focus to balancing ecological concerns with the 2019 National Mineral Policy.
• The government's definition protects only hills higher than 100 metres from mining, sparking environmental concerns.
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced no new mining licenses until a sustainable mining plan is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.

Detailed Insights:

• The need for a uniform definition arose from illegal mining activities that led to judicial intervention.
• A Supreme Court committee was formed in 2024 to create a scientifically grounded definition of the Aravalis.
• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) had previously defined Aravali hills in Rajasthan based on slope (greater than 3 degrees), not height.
• Concerns were raised that using only elevation and slope might incorrectly include non-Aravali areas.
• In 2010, the Supreme Court asked the FSI to delineate the ranges in Rajasthan due to mining bans and petitions from mining companies.
• A technical sub-committee in 2024 used standard resolution maps to define hills beyond Rajasthan, acknowledging that slope isn't the sole criterion.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Mineral Policy: A set of guidelines to regulate the mining sector and promote sustainable development.
• Sustainable Mining: Practices that minimize environmental impact and ensure long-term resource availability.
• Geological Profile: The characteristics and composition of the earth's surface and subsurface in a specific area.