New Delhi: Noting that a balance has to be struck between sustainable development and protection of the environment, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Central and state governments to stop illegal mining in the Aravalli region.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Abhay S Oka said governments should ensure that action is taken against guilty officials.
"Illegal mining in Aravali has to be stopped. The authorities have to ensure that necessary steps are taken in this regard. Otherwise, what is the point of having only skeleton structures in the name of mountains? A balance has to be struck between sustainable development and protection of the environment, The bench said.
The apex court is dealing with a case related to alleged illegal mining in the Aravalli range.
In 2009, the apex court imposed a complete ban on mining of major and minor minerals in the environmentally sensitive Aravalli hills.
The Rajasthan government had earlier told the court that the issue of classification between the Aravalli hills and the Aravalli ranges as far as mining activities were concerned needed to be decided by the apex court.
"Prima facie we find that if the State is of the view that mining activities in the Aravalli Range are also detrimental to the environmental interest, then there is nothing to stop the State Government from stopping the mining activities in the Aravalli Range," the top court said. Yes.'' the court had said.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Abhay S Oka said governments should ensure that action is taken against guilty officials.
"Illegal mining in Aravali has to be stopped. The authorities have to ensure that necessary steps are taken in this regard. Otherwise, what is the point of having only skeleton structures in the name of mountains? A balance has to be struck between sustainable development and protection of the environment, The bench said.
The apex court is dealing with a case related to alleged illegal mining in the Aravalli range.
In 2009, the apex court imposed a complete ban on mining of major and minor minerals in the environmentally sensitive Aravalli hills.
The Rajasthan government had earlier told the court that the issue of classification between the Aravalli hills and the Aravalli ranges as far as mining activities were concerned needed to be decided by the apex court.
"Prima facie we find that if the State is of the view that mining activities in the Aravalli Range are also detrimental to the environmental interest, then there is nothing to stop the State Government from stopping the mining activities in the Aravalli Range," the top court said. Yes.'' the court had said.
