Supreme Court Aravalli Panel Seeks Stakeholder Views, Sets 21-Day Deadline

The Supreme Court-constituted Aravalli committee has invited representations, suggestions and inputs from the public and various stakeholders as it undertakes an independent review of the Centre’s report on the definition and delineation of the Aravalli hill range.

The high-powered committee, constituted on May 25, has sought views from the states concerned and stakeholders, including environmentalists, mining lease holders and local communities whose livelihoods and well-being are closely connected to the region’s biodiversity.

According to a press note issued by the Environment Ministry on Tuesday, submissions should, to the extent possible, be supported by documentary evidence or verifiable material. The representations must be submitted through the designated email address or an official Google form within 21 days of the notice.

The committee has been asked to submit its report to the Supreme Court by August 31. It is headed by Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). Other members include former Forest Survey of India Director General Subhash Ashutosh, former Geological Survey of India official Rajendra Kumar Sharma, former Environment Ministry Joint Secretary Brij Mohan Singh Rathore and Professor Ashok K Bhatnagar, former Head of the Department of Botany at Delhi University.

The Supreme Court has also appointed Professor Jagdish Krishnaswamy of the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru, and Professor Laxmikant Sharma of the Central University of Haryana as special invitees. An Environment Ministry officer of Director rank will serve as the committee’s Member Secretary.

The committee’s outreach comes amid concerns over its neutrality and independence, with critics pointing to the prominent presence of former government officials. They have also questioned whether its structure meets the standards of impartiality and independence outlined in the Supreme Court’s December 2025 suo motu order.