Over 200 Aravalli mines still functional

JAIPUR: Rajasthan government claims it is sticking to Supreme Court instructions but the ground reality is different. TOI has documents that show that mining in Aravallis has not completely stopped, as claimed by the state mines and geology department affiadvit filed in Supreme Court.

A survey by ministry of environment and forest (MoEF), GOI, says over 200 mines are still functional in the Aravallis. It says that although, state government had informed the Supreme Court about 53 leases granted after December 16, 2002. a verification by the MoEF revealed several mines were functioning in the area and their numbers were far more than what government had submiited to the court.

TOI in its October 21 edition had first reported how wanton mining by licensed companies around the Sariska Reserve was threatening the tiger habitat.

The MoEF mentions Balaji Minerals M/L No. 45/70 forest in 9.27 hectare and Silica Kings M/L No. 1/81 forest area of 2.852 hectare in Siras Reserved Forest Block in Tonk district, which were not conveyed to SC. Interestingly, the SC had also restrained sanctioning of leases on the basis of the state government’s deemed definition of Aravalli Hills as per which Aravalli will be considered only if the height was over 100m above the ground. Supreme Court had refused to accept the deemed definition asking for a ban on mining in all areas. Moreover, the SC had ordered the Forest Survey of India (FSI) to conduct a survey of the Aravalli ranges and assess the damage.

While state government says that this survey was still on, it sanctioned mining without waiting to ascertain the extent of damage. MoEF officials surveyed a particular area and found 28 mines functioning without licenses and also informed the state that the number could be far more than that.