New Delhi: Enough is enough, that's what the Supreme Court effectively said on Friday to powerful mining lobbies who wanted to get permission to mine in the Aravali mountains in Haryana.
Satellite pictures of one of the worst kept secrets, the plunder of the Aravali mountains in Haryana now out in the public.
Images of the mining activities in the area shown to the Supreme court seem to have sealed the case against powerful mining lobbies trying to convince the court to lift a 2002 ban on mining in Haryana.
"Government has to file a status report on environment plan. The mining activity has degraded environment and no clearances taken by miners and this is the reason for today's orders," said Vijay Panjwani, Counsel for Central Pollution Control Board.
In some areas the mining has completely destroyed the tree cover and breached the growndwater table directly affecting the water supply to the capital and neighbouring areas.
The Aravalis which are the worlds oldest mountains are also Delhi's last line of defence against the advancing desert.
The Supreme Court did not mince any words and said that things have gone beyond sustainable development with a ban on mining in the Aravali's, the hope is that now the process of restoring the ecology can start.