New Delhi, December 21, 2025: Amid criticism from civil society groups and Opposition parties over the newly adopted uniform definition of the Aravalli hills, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday clarified that mining will be permitted in only a minuscule portion of the Aravalli region.
Yadav said that out of the total 1.44 lakh square kilometres spread across four states, mining eligibility is restricted to just 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli landscape. He stressed that nearly 90 per cent of the region will remain under protection, with no mining permissions to be granted in Delhi.
The minister’s remarks come weeks after the Supreme Court, in November 2025, accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills based on recommendations of an expert committee appointed by the Centre. Under this definition, landforms with a minimum relative relief of 100 metres above the surrounding terrain qualify as Aravalli hills.
Yadav clarified that the definition does not rely solely on altitude but also takes into account the base and overall structure of the hill. He said mining would not be allowed beneath or around the hill structure, rejecting claims that the new criteria open up large areas for mining.
According to the Environment Ministry, all states have agreed to adopt the uniform criterion of “100 metres above local relief” for regulating mining in the Aravalli region. This benchmark has been in force in Rajasthan since January 2006 and has now been made more objective and transparent. Landforms enclosed within the lowest binding contour surrounding hills of 100 metres or more are excluded from the grant of mining leases.
The policy further groups hills located within 500 metres of each other into Aravalli ranges. This provision ensures protection of valleys, slopes and smaller hillocks between major peaks. Mining is prohibited in any area falling within this 500-metre zone.
An official statement from the ministry reiterated that all landforms existing within 500 metres of two adjoining hills of 100 metres or more are excluded from mining, regardless of their height or slope. The ministry said it is incorrect to conclude that mining will be allowed in all areas below the 100-metre threshold.
