Supreme Court's High-Powered Committee on Aravalli Hills
The Supreme Court of India has established a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to provide an independent assessment regarding the definition of the Aravalli hills. The need for a comprehensive review stems from ambiguities in a previous report submitted by a panel led by the Environment Secretary.
Committee Composition
- Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), is appointed as the chairperson.
- Members include:
- Dr. Subhash Ashutosh - Former DG of the Forest Survey of India
- Dr. Rajendra Kumar Sharma - Former Director of the Geological Survey of India
- Brij Mohan Singh Rathore - Former Joint Secretary in the Environment Ministry
- Prof. Ashok K. Bhatnagar - Former head of the Department of Botany, Delhi University
- Two special invitees:
- Prof. Jagdish Krishnaswamy - Indian Institute for Human Settlements
- Prof. Laxmikant Sharma - Central University of Haryana
- The Environment Ministry will appoint an officer as member secretary.
Mandate and Objectives
The HPC is tasked with delivering its findings by August 31. The committee's primary objectives include:
- Re-evaluating the October 2025 report on the Aravalli hills.
- Providing an impartial and scientific assessment of several critical issues.
Critical Issues for Evaluation
- Examining if the 500-meter restriction between hills undermines the geographical scope of protection.
- Determining if hills with an elevation of 100 meters can be considered a contiguous formation, even with gaps.
- Assessing the factual accuracy of the claim that only a fraction of Rajasthan’s hills meet the 100-meter criterion.
- Identifying any regulatory gaps necessitating further scientific and geological studies.
Background Context
Investigations had previously revealed that the Environment Ministry's report overlooked significant objections and warnings, including from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
The Supreme Court's intervention aims to ensure a fair, impartial, and factually sound resolution, involving a wide range of stakeholders for comprehensive guidance.
