MoEF&CC bans new mining leases across entire Aravalli Range

On December 24, 2025, India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change banned new mining leases across the entire Aravalli Range from Gujarat to the National Capital Region. Mining, infrastructure and real-estate firms near the ridge face heightened ecological scrutiny and legal risk.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued directives on December 24, 2025, imposing a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the entire Aravalli Range, which spans from Gujarat to the National Capital Region including Delhi. The measures aim to curb illegal mining, preserve geological continuity and counter ecosystem fragmentation and desertification from unregulated extraction. States must reject fresh lease applications immediately, while existing operations must adhere to strict environmental safeguards and comply with Supreme Court orders, with regulators prioritising rehabilitation of degraded sites.

The directives affect companies in mining, infrastructure and real-estate sectors operating in or near the Aravalli region, which face heightened scrutiny on ecological impacts. MoEF&CC tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional prohibited zones based on ecological sensitivity, biodiversity hotspots and landscape integrity, expanding protected areas. ICFRE is also developing a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) evaluating cumulative environmental impacts and ecological carrying capacity, designating conservation-critical zones and outlining restoration protocols across the region.

Affected businesses should cease pursuing fresh lease applications, which states must reject immediately, and ensure existing operations comply with strict environmental safeguards and Supreme Court orders. Stakeholders should consult the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining once ICFRE places it in the public domain, since it will designate conservation-critical zones and additional prohibited areas. Firms in mining, infrastructure and real estate should adopt sustainable mining practices to reduce legal risks and strengthen market positioning, as investors increasingly favour proactive environmental stewardship in sensitive ecosystems like the Aravalli Range.

Key figure — Directive date: December 24, 2025 (complete ban on new Aravalli mining leases)