Executive Summary:
This document addresses illegal mining in the Aravalli area of Rajasthan. It outlines measures taken by the Government of Rajasthan to curb illegal mining, maintain ecological balance, and promote environmental protection. The information includes actions taken over the last five years and details of the Aravalli Green Wall Project, which aims to restore the area's ecology by 2034.
Key Points / Main Content:
Regulation and Monitoring:
* Mining operations in the Aravalli area are regulated under EIA notification, 2006, which mandates prior Environmental Clearance (EC).
* The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) appraises Category 'B' projects based on recommendations from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
* The process includes screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal.
* The power to regulate, monitor, and prevent illegal mining of minor minerals rests with the State Governments, as per the MMDR Act, 1957.
State Government Measures:
* The Rajasthan Government has implemented a strategy to prevent illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals, including Border Home Guards at mineral offices.
* GPS and RFID tags are mandatory for mineral transport vehicles.
* The Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017, have been amended to strengthen regulatory oversight.
* District-level monitoring committees have been established.
* The MSand Policy 2024 has been formulated to address the demand for sandbajri.
* Automation of weighing stations is underway.
* Mineral plot auctions are continuously undertaken.
* A data analysis team has been established to prevent misuse of online systems.
* Six state-level vigilance teams investigate illegal mining complaints.
* Geofencing is used for mining lease areas and illegal mining sites to monitor vehicle entry.
Penalties and Enforcement:
* Section 21 of the MMDR Act, 1957, provides for imprisonment up to five years and penalties up to Rs. 5 lakh per hectare for illegal mining.
* Rule 54(3) of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017, also provides for imprisonment and penalties.
* Actions can be taken against khatedars and autonomous institutions if illegal mining is found on their lands.
* The Forest Department takes action against illegal mining in forest lands.
Aravalli Green Wall Project:
* The Aravalli Landscape Restoration project aims for integrated landscape ecorestoration.
* Priority is given to the ecorestoration of degraded forest areas.
* The initiative is being implemented in convergence mode with schemes like Green India Mission, CAMPA, MGNREGA, and State Plan.
* The State Forest Department is the nodal agency.
* Community involvement is central to the restoration efforts, which are planned to continue until 2034.
Action Against Illegal Activities:
* From 2020-21 to 2025-26 (up to 15.07.2025), various districts have reported cases of illegal mining, transportation, and storage, with actions taken including lodging FIRs, seizing vehicles and machines, and recovering penalties.
Impact Analysis:
State Government (Directorate of Mines and Geology, Rajasthan, and State Forest Department):
* Impact: Responsible for regulating, monitoring, and preventing illegal mining activities in the Aravalli area. Implementation and oversight of the Aravalli Green Wall Project.
* Action Required: Enforce regulations, conduct regular monitoring, take action on complaints of illegal mining, and implement the Aravalli Green Wall Project in coordination with other departments and the community.
Mining Companies and Operators:
* Impact: Must comply with EIA notification, obtain Environmental Clearance (EC), and adhere to the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017. Subject to penalties for illegal mining activities.
* Action Required: Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, implement GPS and RFID tags on vehicles, participate in district-level monitoring committees, and avoid illegal mining activities.
Local Communities:
* Impact: Affected by illegal mining's impact on the ecological system, vegetation, wildlife, and ground water level. Community would be at the centre of these initiatives.
* Action Required: Participate in the Aravalli Green Wall Project, cooperate with authorities in reporting illegal mining activities, and adhere to guidelines for environmental protection.
Key Entities Referenced
Aravali area of Rajasthan: A geographical area in the state of Rajasthan, India, subject to illegal mining activities.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental and forestry policies.
Environment Impact Assessment EIA Notification, 2006: Indian regulation mandating prior environmental clearance for mining activities.
Mineral Concession Rules, 2016: Rules notified under the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, defining illegal mining.
Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, MMDR Act, 1957: Indian legislation governing the regulation of mines and mineral development.
Directorate of Mines and Geology, Government of Rajasthan: The department of the Government of Rajasthan providing information on measures to curb illegal mining.
Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017: Rules implemented by the State Government of Rajasthan to strengthen regulatory oversight of minor minerals.
MSand Policy 2024: Policy formulated by the State Government of Rajasthan to address the demand for sandbajri.
OIH
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 229
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Illegal Mining in Aravali area of Rajasthan
229. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that illegal mining in Aravalli area of Rajasthan is
causing huge loss to ecological system, effecting vegetation, wildlife and ground water
level and if so, the details thereof ;
(b) whether the Government has taken any special steps to rejuvenate and maintain
environmental balance of Aravalli area to control illegal mining and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) the details of cases of illegal mining reported during the last five years, district-wise,
including Dausa Lok Sabha Constituency of Rajasthan;
(d) whether the Government is considering to implement any new scheme or policy for
ecological conservation, stringent measures against illegal mining and awareness amongst
local community in Aravalli area; and
(e) if so, the complete details thereof and likely time line for the same?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e): Mining processes and operations in all the areas including Aravalli area of Rajasthan
are regulated under EIA notification, 2006 as amended.
The Government has mandated prior Environmental Clearance (EC) under the Environment
Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 as amended to regulate mining activities and
ensure environmental safeguards. For projects falling under Category 'B', the State
Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) appraises proposals based on the
recommendations of the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC). The standard procedure
includes four stages: screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal.Illegal mining is defined in Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 notified under Mines and Mineral
( Development and Regulation Act), MMDR Act, 1957 by Ministry of Mines. In terms of
section 15 and Section 23C of the MMDR Act, the power to regulate, monitor, and prevent
illegal mining of minor minerals, including sand, rests with the respective State Governments.
As per the information provided by the Directorate of Mines and Geology, Government of
Rajasthan, a number of stringent measures have been undertaken to curb illegal mining and to
maintain ecological balance in the Aravalli area. The State Government has implemented a
multifaceted strategy to prevent illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals. Key
measures include deploying Border Home Guards at mineral offices, mandating GPS and RFID
tags for mineral transport vehicles, amending the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules,
2017 to strengthen regulatory oversight. District-level monitoring committees have been
established to promote sustainable mining and environmental protection. To address the
demand of sand/bajri, State Govt. has formulated the M-Sand Policy 2024. Automation of
weighing stations is under process.
Auctioning of mineral plots both major and minor is being continuously undertaken by the
State Govt. Data analysis team has been established in the Directorate to prevent misuse of
online systems. Six State-level vigilance teams have been formed at the Directorate level to
investigate illegal mining complaints. To prevent unauthorized access to mining sites, the
Government has introduced geofencing for both legal mining lease areas and known illegal
mining sites. This technology creates virtual boundaries, allowing authorities to monitor and
control vehicle entry.
The details provided by State Directorate of Mines and Geology, Rajasthan with respect to
steps taken to prevent illegal mining/transportation/storage and action taken in Aravalli districts
including that of district Dausa is given at Annexure I.
The Aravalli Landscape Restoration i.e. Aravalli Green Wall Project, aims to follow an
integrated landscape approach in eco-restoration, focusing on improving the overall ecology of
the landscape. The initial priority has been given to the eco-restoration of degraded forest area.
Based on the extent of ongoing programs/schemes of the Central and State Governments, the
initiative is being taken up in the convergence mode with budgetary support from ongoing
schemes/programs i.e. Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management
and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act (MGNREGA), State Plan, Externally Aided Project etc. The State Forest Department is
the nodal agency for ensuring convergence and smooth implementation of eco-restoration
activities. The restoration of the buffer area would be taken through an integrated landscape
approach. The community would be at the centre of these initiatives envisaged to be carried
out till 2034, playing a critical role in every stage of the restoration interventions.
***Annexure - 1
Details provided by State Directorate of Mines and Geology, Rajasthan with
respect to steps taken to prevent illegal mining/transportation/storage and
action taken in Aravalli districts.
I. Provisions made for prevention of illegal mining/transportation/storage:-
1. Regarding penalty in relation to illegal mining, provisions have been made
under Section 21 of MMDR Act, 1957, in which:-
(1) Sub-section (1) provides for imprisonment up to five years and penalty
up to Rs. 5 lakh per hectare for violation of sub-section (1) and (1A) of
Section 4.
(2) Sub-section (2) provides for imprisonment up to two years or penalty up
to Rs. 5 lakh or both for violation of rules made under the provisions of
MMDR Act, 1957.
(3) Sub-section (4) provides for seizure of vehicle and mineral used in illegal
mining/export and sub-section (5) provides for recovery of the price of
mineral.
2. Rule 54 (3) of Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017 also provides
for imprisonment up to five years and penalty up to Rs 5 lakh per hectare.
3. If illegal mining is found in khatedari lands, provisions have been made to take
action against the khatedar as per rules and cancel the khatedari.
4. There are provisions for action against illegal mining in forest lands to be taken
by the Forest Department.
5. Provisions have been made to cancel allotment and take action if illegal mining
is found on allotted land by autonomous institutions / industrial institutions etc.II. Steps taken to stop illegal mining/transportation/storage in the Rajasthan
State
1. Border Home Guards have been employed in all mineral offices to curb illegal
mining in the state. Apart from this, RAC (Rajasthan Armed Constabulary) is
also used as per requirement.
2. By installing GPS and RFID tags in every mineral vehicle, standard operating
procedures were made for effective control over the export of mineral vehicles
and all offices were informed. Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017
have also been amended by the Government by issuing a notification dated
03.01.2025.
3. Keeping in view the mineral development in the state, a district level "Mineral
Development, Environmental Protection and Illegal Mining" monitoring
committee has been constituted by the Government vide order dated
23.01.2025 to resolve the practical problems of legal mining and to promote
environmentally friendly mining and to prevent illegal mining.
4. M-Sand Policy 2024 has been announced by the State Government to reduce
the gap between demand and supply of mineral gravel, so that illegal mining of
mineral gravel can be curbed.
5. Auction proceedings are being carried out continuously by creating plots of
mineral gravel and other major / minor minerals.
6. By forming a "Data Analysis Team" at the Directorate level, regular investigation
is done to prevent misuse in the departmental online system. So that the misuse
of Ravana can be curbed.
7. 06 state level teams of vigilance officers / employees have been formed at the
Directorate level. They are sent for investigation on receipt of complaints of
illegal mining at any time and place, and action is being taken as per rules.
8. Provision has been made for geofencing of mining lease areas and illegal
mining sites so that effective control can be done on the entry of vehicles into
the area.
9. The process of automating the weighing machines is under process.III. Action against Illegal Mining/Transportation/Stock in Aravali Districts in last
five years (From Year 2020-21 to 2025-26 up to 15-07-2025)
All figures are as per Department of Mines and Geology Online Management System
(DMGOMS):
2025-
26
Sr. 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024-
District Action Detail (Upto TOTAL
No. 21 22 23 24 25
15-07-
25)
Kotputli- Total
1 117 51 146 243 157 88 802
Bahrod Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
12 3 6 24 10 1 56
Cases
F I R Lodged 6 0 26 7 15 14 68
Seized
115 51 144 214 158 44 726
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.50 0.24 0.78 1.84 0.95 0.10 4.4166
Crore)
Total
2 Sikar 207 96 208 231 90 23 855
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
5 2 4 16 3 0 30
Cases
F I R Lodged 0 3 27 14 0 0 44
Seized
188 95 208 206 88 24 809
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
2.01 0.93 1.61 2.54 0.44 0.17 7.6962
Crore)
Total
3 Alwar 258 218 406 304 235 59 1480
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
26 10 26 35 20 6 123
Cases
F I R Lodged 37 37 166 58 29 10 337
Seized
238 245 402 279 238 62 1464
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
3.13 1.93 2.82 2.34 0.71 0.22 11.152
Crore)
Total
4 Jhunjhunu 140 112 144 170 130 56 752
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
11 4 14 30 16 1 76
Cases
F I R Lodged 2 3 8 7 6 0 262025-
26
Sr. 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024-
District Action Detail (Upto TOTAL
No. 21 22 23 24 25
15-07-
25)
Seized
139 108 138 145 123 53 706
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
1.00 0.89 1.12 1.07 0.85 0.43 5.3536
Crore)
Total
5 Tonk 237 716 734 506 397 193 2783
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
14 10 7 24 2 4 61
Cases
F I R Lodged 13 460 1 30 4 2 510
Seized
241 719 724 484 401 164 2733
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.95 2.81 2.17 18.84 0.93 0.24 25.937
Crore)
Total
6 Dausa 179 76 133 104 158 55 705
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
12 6 8 13 13 4 56
Cases
F I R Lodged 19 2 19 21 13 12 86
Seized
180 72 133 86 155 52 678
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.71 0.69 0.69 0.60 1.00 0.33 4.0188
Crore)
Khairthal- Total
7 4 8 17 16 12 0 57
Tizara Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
0 0 2 0 0 0 2
Cases
F I R Lodged 0 0 5 5 0 0 10
Seized
4 8 20 15 12 0 59
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.03 0.07 0.12 0.14 0.10 0.00 0.46
Crore)
Total
8 Ajmer 190 177 266 314 356 105 1408
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
20 17 12 44 65 13 171
Cases
F I R Lodged 20 10 22 17 21 25 115
Seized
208 200 290 323 370 104 1495
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
1.29 1.32 1.85 1.96 2.07 0.63 9.12
Crore)2025-
26
Sr. 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024-
District Action Detail (Upto TOTAL
No. 21 22 23 24 25
15-07-
25)
Total
9 Beawar 75 88 167 171 249 101 851
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
6 9 6 23 33 7 84
Cases
F I R Lodged 5 4 19 10 19 26 83
Seized
83 84 164 188 235 88 842
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.42 0.54 0.99 1.32 1.06 0.43 4.76
Crore)
Total
10 Sirohi 210 177 208 206 191 55 1047
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
7 9 19 12 3 3 53
Cases
F I R Lodged 1 2 19 1 0 1 24
Seized
199 163 196 195 185 55 993
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
1.36 0.94 1.55 1.39 0.67 0.35 6.2583
Crore)
Total
11 Udaipur 356 249 211 228 262 173 1479
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
17 14 11 23 29 17 111
Cases
F I R Lodged 37 16 42 29 33 27 184
Seized
423 262 224 230 263 175 1577
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
4.74 3.11 1.84 2.89 2.41 1.51 16.506
Crore)
Total
12 Salumber 89 126 123 62 42 9 451
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
6 19 30 13 3 3 74
Cases
F I R Lodged 13 25 17 4 0 4 63
Seized
88 121 117 58 38 4 426
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
1.16 2.02 1.66 0.97 0.15 0.05 6.0002
Crore)
Total
13 Banswara 96 74 119 121 102 68 580
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
6 7 5 9 8 8 43
Cases2025-
26
Sr. 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024-
District Action Detail (Upto TOTAL
No. 21 22 23 24 25
15-07-
25)
F I R Lodged 15 4 7 10 6 2 44
Seized
90 66 90 112 108 68 534
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.60 0.71 1.05 1.29 0.48 0.20 4.3341
Crore)
Total
14 Pratapgarh 56 49 79 80 61 15 340
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
4 0 5 10 15 2 36
Cases
F I R Lodged 0 0 8 1 0 0 9
Seized
54 46 75 76 64 13 328
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.48 0.41 0.65 0.43 0.45 0.10 2.5248
Crore)
Total
15 Dungarpur 140 123 85 81 103 80 612
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
26 19 39 20 17 8 129
Cases
F I R Lodged 15 1 7 2 6 6 37
Seized
122 117 63 64 102 75 543
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
1.45 1.40 0.88 0.74 1.08 0.59 6.1569
Crore)
Total
16 Bhilwara 1188 888 711 797 940 314 4838
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
112 77 79 152 67 27 514
Cases
F I R Lodged 330 213 239 213 87 20 1102
Seized
1131 941 660 707 978 314 4731
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
13.93 11.88 8.73 10.39 9.69 2.99 57.605
Crore)
Total
17 Rajsamand 354 330 248 469 289 92 1782
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
41 34 41 47 39 6 208
Cases
F I R Lodged 13 14 39 136 4 14 220
Seized
332 323 230 445 283 80 1693
Vehicles/Machines2025-
26
Sr. 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024-
District Action Detail (Upto TOTAL
No. 21 22 23 24 25
15-07-
25)
Recovered Penalty (In
2.68 2.49 2.06 3.85 2.38 0.60 14.053
Crore)
Total
18 Pali 468 533 381 395 326 141 2244
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
31 24 16 31 23 12 137
Cases
F I R Lodged 4 8 7 41 20 17 97
Seized
450 527 380 379 336 127 2199
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
5.39 6.89 4.69 5.15 3.45 1.12 26.696
Crore)
Total
19 Jaipur 813 955 993 747 526 227 4261
Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
11 17 34 74 34 14 184
Cases
F I R Lodged 10 6 9 23 17 3 68
Seized
815 948 1007 763 581 230 4344
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
4.10 6.67 6.85 7.33 3.91 1.00 29.851
Crore)
Didwana- Total
20 56 35 79 118 55 23 366
Kuchaman Cases(Min./Trans./Stock)
no. of Illegal Mining
6 4 7 38 1 2 58
Cases
F I R Lodged 12 1 22 31 6 0 72
Seized
50 38 72 85 50 21 316
Vehicles/Machines
Recovered Penalty (In
0.47 0.45 0.45 0.67 0.28 0.06 2.3797
Crore)