The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed state governments to impose a complete ban on granting any new mining leases across the entire Aravalli Range, a move aimed at safeguarding one of India’s most ecologically sensitive and geologically ancient landscapes. 
The prohibition covers the full stretch of the Aravalli hills from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to the National Capital Region, with the ministry stating that it is intended to preserve the continuity and ecological integrity of the range as a continuous geological ridge. Under the new directive, no fresh mining lease will be issued anywhere along the Aravalli landscape until further notice. 
In addition to the ban on new leases, the MoEF&CC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas within the Aravallis where mining should be prohibited based on ecological, geological and landscape considerations. ICFRE has also been tasked with preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the region. The plan is expected to assess cumulative environmental impacts, define ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical zones, and outline measures for restoration, rehabilitation and long-term ecological protection. 
The ministry’s directive reaffirms and expands upon previous Supreme Court orders that halted new mining leases pending the finalisation of the sustainable mining plan, and it reinforces that the ban applies uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape, rather than just specific protected or eco-sensitive areas identified earlier. 
Existing mining operations will continue under strict environmental supervision, with state governments directed to ensure full compliance with applicable environmental safeguards and Supreme Court rulings. Authorities have emphasised that the focus on regulating ongoing mining activities, coupled with the ban on new leases, is intended to protect the Aravalli ecosystem which plays a vital role in preventing desertification, supporting biodiversity, recharging aquifers, and stabilising regional climate and air quality from further degradation. 
However, the move has generated political debate and public response. Environmental advocates and some political groups have welcomed the ban as a necessary step toward conserving the fragile ecosystem, while critics argue that the measure needs to be paired with robust enforcement mechanisms and wider ecological protections beyond mining regulations. 
The Centre’s decision comes amid growing recognition of the environmental and social importance of the Aravalli Range, which is among the oldest mountain systems in India and a crucial natural asset for the Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions. The comprehensive sustainable mining plan and the ban on new leases are expected to be key components in balancing developmental needs with environmental conservation in the years ahead. 
