Jaipur, Dec. 31 -- Residents of Meena ki Nangal village in Sikar district claim that rampant mining is destroying their health, environment, and social fabric - even blocking access to their local cremation ground - while local administration officials maintain they have intervened to curb illegal activities and remain open to further grievances. In Meena ki Nangal, locals say that the impact of mining has become so pervasive that it has reached the gates of the local cemetery. Contractors have reportedly dug a deep pit directly in front of the main entrance to the cremation ground, rendering it inaccessible. "The miners have dug a deep pit and cut off the entrance. We have to use another entrance from the side. Villagers have been protesting for the last two years, and we have raised this issue with the administration, but they have not acted yet," says Lalchand Yadav, a local. The struggle in Sikar encapsulates the legal battle for the Aravallis, one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, that intensified after the Supreme Court recently narrowed the definition of Aravalli hills to landforms rising at least 100 metres above the surrounding terrain. On Monday, however, the court stayed its November 20 judgment, holding that there was a "dire need to further probe and clarify" the issue to prevent regulatory gaps that could undermine the ecological integrity of one of India's most fragile and significant mountain systems. Stretching nearly 700 km, over 80% of the range passes through Rajasthan. Deepak Tanwar, former director of mines for the state government, argues that the nuance between legal and illegal operations is critical. "In Rajasthan, 94% of the Aravallis are protected as they fall in forested land. Of the 7% in non -forested area, only 2% of 840 sq km is open for mining. Leaseholders have to comply with many regulations. Illegal mining poses a bigger threat to the environment." However, residents like Phoolchand Yadav, a retired employee of the Rajasthan State Roadways, say that the line between legal and illegal is often blurred. "They dig pits deeper than allowed in the rules to extract stone, use heavy detonators and explosives that damage buildings in the village. Several engaged in mining operations are from Haryana and they keep local people to oversee their operations," he says. Another resident, Lalchand Yadav, says that mining with heavy machinery and loud explosives has increased over the last 10-12 years. Residents allege that the mining contractors extract cheza patthar (masonry stone) used in construction, and ferry it in overloaded dumpers overrunning agricultural fields and even the pastureland that is reserved for animals. The area borders Haryana, and the dumpers take the stone to crushers in Rajasthan and Haryana. "If the villagers object, the police detain them instead of stopping the illegal mining," says Phoolchand . HT reach out to the Sikar Kotwali police station but the officers did not respond to calls. Lalchand , an ex-serviceman, claims contractors use "bullying" tactics. "They engage the youth to bully and cow down any protest from villagers against the mining operations. They pay them paltry sums of money and also introduce them to substance abuse," he says. Phoolchand adds, "Youngsters from our village were hardworking and found good employment. But now the contractors employ them for Rs.5000 to Rs.6000 per month. This has made them complacent. They don't want to study hard or explore different employment avenues." Lalchand agrees, adding that pollution and a non-conducive atmosphere in the village have led to migration. "There were 150 families who lived here. Now there are only about 80, as the mining activity has made life unbearable. Moreover, no employment opportunities have been created here by those who are carrying out mining in our village, so people migrate to cities in search of a better livelihood," he says Balram Gurjar, sarpanch of Dalpatpura, points out that blasting has cracked the local dam, causing rainwater to leak away. "The dam was used to store rainwater for use by the villagers, but due to the cracks, the water ran off. The mining pits have been dug up to 300 feet, and groundwater has dried up," he says. The conflict has frequently moved to the courts. In 2018, villagers secured a Rajasthan High Court ruling to stop dumpers from traversing protected pastureland. Despite this, sarpanch Gurjar claims contractors simply carved new paths through the land to reach crushers in neighbouring Haryana. "A notice board has been put in the land warning against illegal mining, but the contractors have made a way through the side of the pastureland. Despite our entreaties, local officials have not taken any action," says Phoolchand. When asked for comment, Rajvir Yadav, sub-divisional magistrate of Neem Ka Thana, defended the government's record. "We received a complaint and successfully closed the road within the pastureland. No vehicles are currently plying through it," he stated. "If we receive further complaints, we will investigate them." The impact extends to neighbouring villages like Bharala, where the air quality is often hazardous. Mahesh Saini, a resident, reports that the average AQI hovers around 400. "Almost everyone here has breathing problems, asthma, or skin allergies. Those working the mines often develop silicosis," Saini says. He also notes a rise in man-animal conflict: "As the hills are eroded, tigers and other predators lose their habitat and prey, forcing them into human settlements for food." Prof LK Sharma, head of department of Environmental Science at the Central University of Rajasthan, said mining is destroying not only the ecology of the Aravallis but also creating a health hazard for people. "A complete ban on mining seems to be the only solution to save the Aravallis and the people, " he said....