New Delhi, Dec. 25 -- A war of words erupted on social media between senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav regarding the government's new 'definition' of the Aravalli hills.

In a major step towards conservation and protection of the entire Aravalli Range stretching from Delhi to Gujarat from illegal mining, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has issued directions to the States for a complete Ban on the Grant of any New Mining Leases in the Aravallis.

The Centre has also directed that for the mines already in operation, the State Governments concerned shall ensure strict compliance with all environmental safeguards and in conformity with the Supreme Court's...