The Supreme Court of India has constituted a high-powered committee to review the definition of the Aravalli hill range, following a dispute over the Centre's classification criteria. The panel has been tasked with scrutinising the central government's claim that only 1,048 out of Rajasthan's 12,081 hills satisfy the 100-metre elevation threshold. The court has directed the committee to assess whether this assessment is scientifically robust and to recommend a more accurate definition.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy arose after the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change submitted that a large number of landforms in Rajasthan traditionally considered part of the Aravallis do not meet the elevation standard. Environmental activists and state authorities challenged this stance, arguing that it could lead to the dilution of conservation protections for the ecologically sensitive range.
Composition of the Panel
The high-powered panel includes representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the Indian Space Research Organisation, the Geological Survey of India, and the Rajasthan government. It will also have independent experts in geology and ecology. The committee is expected to submit its report within three months.
Key Tasks Assigned
- Review the scientific basis of the 100-metre elevation criterion for defining Aravalli hills.
- Evaluate satellite data and ground surveys to identify hills that qualify as part of the range.
- Assess the environmental impact of reclassifying hills that fail to meet the current definition.
The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the importance of the Aravallis as a vital ecological barrier against desertification and a key groundwater recharge zone. The final report could influence future conservation policies and mining regulations in the region.
