The Aravalli Dilemma: Mining–Conservation Dichotomy in Haryana

Abstract

The Mining Sector is one of the most important sectors of India. However, in India, the Mining Sector has been stagnant for decades as a result of various policy and institutional roadblocks. This is a point of concern as the evolution of the Mining Sector in a particular region creates a whole economy around it involving various stakeholders and elements such as land utilisation, generation of income and employment, providing a resource base for industries and environmental aspects. The Aravallis are considered the oldest mountain range in the world and are abundant in mineral and geological resources, which make them extremely important, taking into consideration India’s dependence on other nations for basic raw materials. They are considered a national treasure for the country and the Supreme Court has ordered: “to protect them at all costs.” The Aravallis today lie extremely threatened and vulnerable to the risk of exploitation through miners and the real estate lobby. The Aravallis are also home to valuable biodiversity along with 240 villages who struggle for existence. The abysmal state of the Aravallis points towards the failure of the environment as well as mineral policies and the various plans that were developed for the region. Moreover, the presence of multiple stakeholders and social, economic, political, environmental and religious issues add to the difficulty. This conundrum of the Aravallis makes it a wicked problem indeed and relevant for a public policy practitioner to study.