Save Aravallis: How Rajasthan's Alwar District Has Suffered Illegal Mining For Decades

Alwar: Nestled in the lap of the Aravalli mountain range, Alwar district has been grappling with illegal mining for decades. The Supreme Court's new definition of the Aravallis is likely to exacerbate the problem. If, due to the new 100-metre definition, smaller hills are excluded from the Aravalli range, their very existence will be threatened. The depletion of greenery on the hills due to mining could deepen the water crisis in the district, which is already struggling with water scarcity and air pollution.

Environmentalist Rajesh Krishna Siddh stated that the Aravallis are in crisis due to illegal mining. The Supreme Court's new definition will only worsen the situation. The Aravallis are the lifeline of 39 districts across the country, including Alwar. Given the current level of illegal mining, it will be impossible to stop it after the new definition of the Aravallis is implemented.

While the government claims to be collecting fines from illegal miners, illegal mining continues near the city even today. Illegal mining is taking place in Lalawandi of Ramgarh-Naugawan, Satana and Bilandi of Malakheda, and Tehla near the Sariska Tiger Reserve. He alleged that if the 100-metre height definition for the Aravallis is implemented, hills shorter than this height will be excluded from the Aravalli range. The government will then be able to easily grant mining leases for these areas. Mining is currently prohibited in the Aravallis, but this prohibition will not apply to areas excluded by the new definition.

Why Aravallis Are Important To Alwar

This mountain range provides local inhabitants with clean air, water, and protection from natural disasters. Major tourist destinations like Sariska Tiger Reserve, the historic Siliserh Lake, Bala Fort, Pandupol Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev, Karni Mata and other religious and tourist sites, depend on the preservation of the Aravallis for their existence. This is why there has been a long-standing demand for effective measures to stop illegal mining in the district.

The Aravallis in Alwar district have suffered the consequences of illegal mining due to their proximity to Haryana and Delhi. Previously, a complete ban on mining in Haryana led to large-scale illegal mining in Alwar by mining mafias. The stone extracted here — which is used in construction — was supplied to crushers in Haryana, generating huge profits. The illegal mining continued unabated in the Aravalli hills of the district. This resulted in the complete destruction of several hills in the Tijara region, while many others face an existential threat.

What Happened To Past Government Actions?

Even today, the scars of illegal mining are visible on the Aravalli hills in Alwar district. The illegal activity was rampant in areas of the old Alwar district, including Tijara, Kahrani, Tapukara, Behror, Mundawar, Kishangarh Bas, Jatiana near Alwar city, Goleta, Ramgarh, Naugaon, Satana, Bilandi, Laxmangarh, and Rajgarh, among others.

Various responsible departments took action, but it proved insufficient. Despite government claims, illegal mining in the Aravallis could not be stopped. The extent of illegal mining in the district was such that the government itself admitted in the Assembly that 26 cases of illegal stone mining were detected in 2023-24, and 289 vehicles involved in the activity were seized. In total, the Mines Department imposed a penalty of Rs 748.79 lakh in these cases, of which only Rs 137.03 lakh was recovered.

Allegations Of The LoP

Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully of the Congress alleged in the Rajasthan Assembly that far from being controlled, large-scale illegal mining in the Aravallis of the state has continued unabated. He claimed that 4,206 FIRs were registered for illegal mining in the state from 2019 to 2023. Fines of Rs 464 crore were recovered from those involved in the illegal activity.

Before that, fines of Rs 200 crore were recovered between 2013 and 2018. Additionally, 508 FIRs have been registered against illegal miners in 2024-25.

Civil Society's Anger Boils Over

Corroborating the LoP's claim, Nauganwa resident Nitin Mittal said that despite a ban on mining in the district, illegal mining continues day and night, with overloaded dumpers — some of which don't even have number plates — carrying away stones and gravel. He said, "Most of the material goes to Haryana, increasing the risk of accidents and pollution."

The issue was raised in a Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting involving local residents, police and other stakeholders, but no action was taken.

Another resident, Kapil Soni, alleged that overloaded dumpers carrying illegally-mined materials, operate openly in Nauganwa. It even endengers the lives of children studying in a nearby school, especially while commuting. Soni named Mankhi, Karoli, Naharpur, and other nearby areas as places where illegal mining is taking place in the open.

The Government's Response

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav claims the Centre is committed to saving the Aravallis, and that mining will not be allowed in it. He said some people, including those from the Opposition Congress, are spreading misinformation.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the Aravalli range will be completely protected, that he that to stop illegal mining in the Aravallis, he has given instructions for joint operations to be conducted in 20 districts by holding meetings between various concerned departments.

Also Read:

1. Why Aravalli Hills Matter? Understanding Ongoing Controversy
2. Redefining The Aravallis: What Happens When Legal Elevations Overshadow Ecological Realities?
3. #SaveAravalli: Public Outrage As Court Ruling Threatens Mountain Range To Potential Mining
4. Aravalli Hills In Danger, Delhi-NCR Pollution Could Worsen, Say Environmentalists After SC Accepts 100-Metre Definition