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Mining Threatens Aravalli Ecology
Context:
Illegal and unregulated mining in the Aravalli range of Haryana and Rajasthan has caused severe health, ecological, and groundwater problems despite repeated Supreme Court bans.
Aravalli Range – Geography and Significance
- Oldest fold mountain range of India, running through Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Gujarat.
- Functions as an important ecological barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert.
- Rich in minerals such as sandstone, marble, granite, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, and gold.
- Provides aquifers, lakes, and forest ecosystems that support biodiversity and human livelihood.
Environmental Degradation
- Mining, both legal and illegal, has damaged aquifers, dried up lakes, and reduced groundwater recharge.
- Stone crushers and cement plants have caused air pollution leading to silicosis, respiratory illnesses, and skin diseases.
- Continuous dust and heavy vehicular movement worsen the air quality in villages near quarries.
- Migration from affected villages reflects socio-economic stress caused by environmental degradation.
Legal and Policy Measures
- 2009: Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on mining in Faridabad, Gurugram, and Mewat (Nuh) districts of Haryana.
- May 2024: Court prohibited granting of fresh mining leases or renewals in the entire Aravalli range.
- Despite orders, illegal mining continues, reflecting enforcement challenges.
- Compensation framework: Victims of silicosis in Rajasthan are eligible for ?3 lakh; heirs receive ?2 lakh in case of death.
Government Initiatives
- Aravalli Green Wall Project: Launched in June 2025, aims to create a 5 km-wide green buffer zone across the range to curb desertification and improve green cover.
- National and state-level policies focus on reforestation, ecological restoration, and stricter monitoring.
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