Aravali Region Loses 31 Hills in 50 Years, SC Directs Rajasthan to Stop Illegal Mining in 48 Hours

The bench observed, “31 hills have disappeared. If hills get disappeared in the country, what will happen? Have people become 'Hanuman' and are running away with hills? More than 20 per cent hills have vanished in the state.”

New Delhi: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Tuesday ordered the court to direct Rajasthan to prevent illegal mining in a 115.34-hectare area in Aravali hills within 48 hours. The order comes in the wake of the disappearance of 31 out of the 128 hills in the Aravali region over the last 50 years on account of illegal mining.

Shocked by the fact, a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur directed the Chief Secretary to take urgent measures to put an end to the illegal mining in the state. The court also directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit by October 26 in compliance with the order.

Rajasthan has failed miserably to protect the hills. The destruction of the hills might have contributed to the air pollution and dust storms in Delhi, said the court. The bench observed, “31 hills have disappeared. If hills get disappeared in the country, what will happen? Have people become ‘Hanuman’ and are running away with hills? More than 20 per cent hills have vanished in the state.”

The state government agreed to the fact that illegal mining is a reality till date despite an order. Additional Advocate General of Rajasthan S S Shamshery refuted and said that preventive steps are being taken against the mining companies and even FIR is being lodged against them. Dissatisfied with the assurance, the court ordered the closure of mining operations in a span of two days.

The bench said, “For the sake of a few mining companies, you are putting the life of lakhs of people in danger. Damage has already been done. The devastation caused is apparent and you can see it while travelling from Delhi to Jaipur.” According to a report by Times of India, advocate A D N Rao said that the state is getting Rs 5000 Crore as royalty from the mining companies. In a report filed by the CEC, illegal mining was discovered in about 15 districts in Rajasthan, in several districts in Alwar, Dungarpur, and Sikar.

The case has been posted to October 29 for the compliance of the state’s order on putting an end to the problem of illegal mining.