Prominent scientists, environmental policy experts, and conservation organizations from across India have written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) urging changes to the newly constituted Supreme Court committee tasked with protecting the Aravalli range. They argue that the panel lacks the independence and expertise necessary for such a critical role.
Concerns Over Committee Composition
In representations submitted on June 18 and 19, the experts raised concerns about the committee formed under the Supreme Court's May 25, 2026 order. They contend that it does not meet the standards of an independent High-Powered Expert Committee as envisioned by the court in its December 29, 2025 suo motu proceedings.
Stalin Dayanand, Director of Vanashakti, stated that the committee cannot be considered impartial because its Chairperson and Member Secretary are linked to institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), whose earlier recommendations are now under review.
Joseph Hoover, Managing Trustee of the United Conservation Movement, alleged that the MoEFCC ignored findings from a September 2025 Forest Survey of India (FSI) report that highlighted the importance of low-lying hills as barriers against desertification. He pointed out discrepancies between the FSI report, which identified 63 Aravalli districts, and the ministry's affidavit before the Supreme Court, which referred to only 37 districts.
Demand for Independent Experts
Veteran environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra, who has previously chaired Supreme Court-appointed committees on environmental matters, expressed doubts about the panel's ability to provide unbiased recommendations. He wrote to the CJI, noting that government officials and scientists from government-funded institutions rarely record views contrary to those of the government, despite expressing concerns during discussions.
Geoscientist Prof. CP Rajendran said the committee should include independent environmentalists, ecologists, hydrologists, scientists, and public health experts rather than being dominated by serving or retired officials. Environment and policy expert Sagar Dhara noted that the Supreme Court had previously appointed eminent independent experts, such as Dr. Ravi Chopra and physicist Prof. MGK Menon, to head high-powered committees dealing with environmental issues.
Pushkar Kulkarni of Save Pune Hills emphasized that any assessment of mining in the Aravallis would be incomplete without examining its impact on health and livelihoods. Odisha-based environmentalist Prafulla Samantara demanded that neither the Chairperson nor the Member Secretary be serving officers of the MoEFCC or its affiliated institutions.
Environmentalist Samita Kaur called for the inclusion of experts in ecology, wildlife, hydrology, occupational health, and traditional livelihoods. Dr. Sumita Kale of Pune urged that the committee submit its report directly to the Supreme Court and be granted additional time beyond the August 31 deadline to conduct consultations across all Aravalli districts.
