Haryana Urges Rajasthan to Halt Mining Along Border to Protect Aravallis

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 Haryana has formally requested that neighboring Rajasthan impose a ban on all mining activities within a five-kilometer radius along their shared border. This urgent plea, articulated in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Thursday, July 17, 2025, shows Haryana’s growing frustration over rampant illegal mining and ecological damage to the Aravalli hills originating from the Rajasthan side. The move aims to protect the fragile ecosystem of one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges.

The core of Haryana’s argument is that differing mining policies between the two states are enabling a “mining mafia” operating from Rajasthan to exploit resources within Haryana’s protected Aravalli zone. Despite a Supreme Court ban on mining in Haryana’s Aravallis since 2009, illegal extraction persists, often facilitated by a porous border and a lack of clear demarcation. Haryana alleges that leaseholders in Rajasthan are mining beyond their designated limits and even displacing interstate boundary markers to encroach into Haryana’s territory.

Recent investigations by Haryana’s State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SVACB) have uncovered a sophisticated network supporting this illicit activity. This includes the construction of unauthorized roads, such as two recently identified in Nuh district, which significantly reduce transport distances to Rajasthan’s active mining and crusher zones from 25-30 km to just 2-3 km. These illegal routes allow dumpers to bypass crucial mining, transport, and police checkpoints, leading to substantial revenue loss for the Haryana government in terms of royalty, tolls, and overload penalties. An estimated ₹13 crore was reportedly spent on building these roads.

The affidavit highlights that “illegal mining material transportation occurred through these illegally constructed roads as it not only reduced the distance and transportation cost but also resulted in a loss to the government exchequer.” Haryana has also repeatedly requested that Rajasthan authorities share leaseholder details and participate in joint boundary demarcation, but these requests have reportedly gone unheeded.

To address the escalating crisis, Haryana has proposed that the Survey of India be directed to accurately delineate a 5-kilometer buffer zone along the border where all mining activities should be prohibited. This measure, if implemented, would create a crucial conservation zone aimed at protecting water recharge areas, wildlife corridors, and air and soil quality in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli region.

While both Haryana and Rajasthan currently have BJP governments, the dispute is indicative of the current state of environmental governance. The Supreme Court’s decision on Haryana’s plea could set a significant precedent for cross-border conservation efforts and potentially redefine how states cooperate to protect shared ecological assets from illegal exploitation. The outcome will be closely watched by environmentalists and industry stakeholders alike.