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Aravalli Hills News: Bhupendra Yadav clarified that no relaxation has been given in the Aravalli region, more than 90 percent of the area is protected and strict rules are in place as per the directions of the Supreme Court. He said that there is a complete ban on mining activities in the Aravali region of Delhi. The government has been running the Green Aravali initiative for the last two years. We are committed to Green Aravali.
New Delhi. After the Sundarban meeting, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister and Lok Sabha member from Alwar Bhupendra Yadav has completely clarified the situation on the ongoing discussions and confusion regarding the Aravalli mountain range. He said in clear words that no relaxation of any kind has been given nor will be given in the Aravalli region.
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that the Aravali mountain range is spread in four states of India (Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat). The area of Aravalli is extended in 39 districts. The legal process regarding Aravali is not new, in fact petitions on it have been going on since 1985. The basic objective of these petitions has been to impose strict and clear rules on mining in the Aravali region, which the government fully supports.
Bhupendra Yadav said that the Supreme Court has instructed all the four states to decide on a uniform definition of Aravali so that the rules cannot be violated on the basis of different interpretation in any state. In this direction, the government has set a clear and scientific definition. He also spoke openly on the misconception spread regarding the safety zone of 100 meters. The minister said that some people are spreading the false propaganda that 100 meters means excavation is allowed from top to bottom of the hill. He clarified that this is completely wrong.
According to him, the security limit of 100 meters is considered to be from the bottom of the hill i.e. the place up to which the base of the hill extends, that is, the entire area up to 100 meters from the bottom of the hill will be protected. No digging or activity of any kind will be allowed there. Bhupendra Yadav further said that if there is a difference of only 500 meters between two Aravalli hills, then that entire land will also be considered a part of the Aravalli range. That means, not only the mountains, but also the land between them will come under the purview of conservation.
The Union Minister said that after the implementation of this definition, more than 90 percent of the Aravali area has come under protected area. He said that there is a complete ban on mining activities in the Aravali region of Delhi. The government has been running the Green Aravali initiative for the last two years. We are committed to Green Aravali. Bhupendra Yadav also clarified that the aim of the government is not to stop any kind of development, but to ensure the protection of natural heritage, environmental balance and future generations.
Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that this definition, decided on the basis of Supreme Court instructions and scientific standards, now eliminates all scope for confusion. This will not only stop illegal mining, but will also put a strict ban on activities that harm Aravali.
