Aravalli Under Siege: Over 10,000 Mines Threaten Environmental Shield, Campaign Intensifies

• Rajasthan's Aravalli range faces severe threat from over 10,060 active mining leases statewide, with 1,230 in the Aravalli region covering 17,393 hectares.
• Mining continues on existing leases despite a central government ban on new allocations, leading to irreversible environmental damage.
• Environmental impact includes hollowed mountains, decreased forest cover, disrupted drainage, and potential future water scarcity and land degradation.
• Districts like Rajsamand (540+ leases) and Udaipur (6,084 hectares affected) are severely impacted by extensive mining operations.
• The Congress party launched an 'Aravalli Bachao Jan Jagrukta' campaign, intensifying political and social pressure to protect the ancient mountain range.

Why It Matters: Extensive mining in Aravalli threatens its ecosystem, sparking urgent environmental and political action.