The Supreme Court has constituted a five-member High-Powered Committee (HPC) to conduct a comprehensive scientific assessment of issues related to the definition and demarcation of the ecologically significant Aravalli Hills and Ranges. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, directed the committee to examine the environmental, geological, and ecological implications of the criteria currently used to identify the Aravalli range. The committee has been asked to submit its findings and recommendations to the apex court by August 31, 2026, before the matter is taken up for further hearing.
The newly formed panel will be chaired by the Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and includes several experts from forestry, geology, environmental policy, and biodiversity conservation. The court emphasized that the fragile ecosystem and rich biodiversity of the Aravalli range require a scientifically sound and balanced approach before any major policy decisions are made. According to the order, the committee will assess whether existing definitions and proposed measures could have long-term environmental consequences and will help the court determine the most appropriate course of action consistent with sustainable development and environmental protection principles.
The Supreme Court has also directed the committee to adopt a broad consultative process by inviting suggestions from governments, environmentalists, conservation groups, mining stakeholders, farmers, local communities, and other interested parties. The case stems from concerns that a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills, which focused on landforms above a certain elevation threshold, could leave large ecologically connected areas outside legal protection. The issue has gained national significance amid ongoing concerns over mining activities and environmental degradation across the Aravalli region, which stretches through Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat. Following the committee’s report, the matter is scheduled to be heard again by the Supreme Court on September 7, 2026.
