Centre 'fully committed' to protecting Aravallis, Cong spreading lies: Minister

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday accused the Congress of spreading "misinformation" and "lies" on the issue of the new definition of the Aravallis.

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He stressed that mining can be carried out legally in only 0.19 per cent of the area covered by the mountain range.

At a press briefing, he reiterated that the Modi government remains "fully committed" to protecting and restoring the Aravallis.

"The Congress, which allowed rampant illegal mining in Rajasthan during its tenure, is spreading confusion, misinformation and lies about the issue," the minister alleged.

The new definition, approved by the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the Environment Ministry, "aims to curb illegal mining" and allow "sustainable mining legally", and that too only after a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), he said.

The ICFRE will identify areas where mining can be permitted only under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances, sources said.