Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Rajasthan Aravalli Hills Face Mining Threats
In Rajasthan, there has been a lot of illegal mining in the Aravalli hills over the last seven years.
The government has been taking action against this, with over 7,000 police reports and a lot of money collected as penalties.
The BJP government says they have been stricter in the last two years.
There are also concerns about new rules that might affect the Aravalli Hills, leading to protests.
The government says no new mining will be allowed until more studies are done.
The Congress opposition argues that the new rules will destroy most of the hills and that the government is not doing enough to protect them.
Over 7,173 FIRs related to illegal mining in Rajasthan in the last seven years, with 4,181 in Aravalli districts.
The BJP government claims to have taken decisive action against illegal mining, including collecting penalties and arresting offenders.
A total of 71,322 instances of illegal mining were reported, with 40,175 in Aravalli districts.
Penalties amounting to Rs 637.16 crore have been collected, with Rs 231.75 crore under Congress rule and Rs 136.78 crore under the BJP government.
Protests have erupted over new definitions of Aravalli Hills that might open them to mining, although the government assures no new leases will be given until further studies.
- Who
- Rajasthan government, BJP, Congress, mining mafia, officials, workers
- What
- Illegal mining activities and government actions against them, as well as the redefinition of protected areas within the Aravalli range
- When
- Over the last seven years, with a focus on recent Supreme Court verdicts and government actions
- Where
- Rajasthan, particularly in the Aravalli districts
- Why
- To address and control illegal mining and its impact on the environment, as well as to protect the Aravalli hills from further damage
BJP Government
Congress Opposition
Government Actions
BJP Government
The BJP government claims to have taken decisive action against illegal mining, including collecting penalties and arresting offenders. They insist no new mining leases will be given until further studies.
Congress Opposition
The Congress opposition argues that the BJP government is trying to hand over the Aravallis to the mining mafia and that the new definition of the hills poses a grave threat to the ecosystem.
Aravalli Hills Protection
BJP Government
The BJP government asserts that they will not allow any tampering with the Aravalli hills and are working to preserve their ecological integrity.
Congress Opposition
The Congress opposition contends that the new 100-meter elevation norm will destroy 90% of the Aravalli range and that the government is not doing enough to protect the hills.
- Total FIRs in Rajasthan
- 7,173
- FIRs in Aravalli districts
- 4,181
- Total illegal mining instances in Rajasthan
- 71,322
- Illegal mining instances in Aravalli districts
- 40,175
- Penalty collected in 7 years
- Rs 637.16 crore
- Arrests in 7 years
- 3,736
- Vehicles/machines seized in 7 years
- 70,399
- Percentage of Aravalli range without automatic environmental safeguards
- 90%
Sources
Over 7,000 illegal mining FIRs in Rajasthan in 7 years; 4,000-plus in Aravalli districts alone
‘Every child knows…’: Sachin Pilot leads protest against illegal mining, says BJP govt endangering Aravallis
Rajasthan CM vows against ‘tampering’ with Aravallis as Opposition flags ‘grave threat’ over hill definition
Illegal mining in Punjab’s Majri continues: BJP slams AAP
