Senior Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the independence of the five-member High Powered Committee constituted by the Supreme Court of India to examine the redefinition of the Aravali Hills, warning that the threat to the fragile Aravali ecosystem persists.
Ramesh praises Supreme Court's wisdom but criticizes committee composition
Ramesh acknowledged that the Supreme Court showed "great wisdom and courage" on December 29, 2025, when it suo motu recalled its earlier November 20 verdict on the redefinition of the Aravali Hills and ranges, which he said would have had ecologically disastrous consequences. However, he expressed disappointment over the composition of the newly constituted committee tasked with re-examining the issue, pointing out that it is dominated by serving and retired government officials.
He particularly questioned the appointment of a serving officer from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as the chairperson of the panel, while another serving official from the same ministry serves as its Member Secretary. Ramesh called this arrangement "deeply disappointing," as it raises serious questions about the committee's independence and impartiality in dealing with an issue carrying significant environmental implications.
Concerns over government mindset and toolkit
Clarifying that his criticism was not directed at individual members, Ramesh attributed the issue to what he described as the "mindset, toolkit and operating system" of the Narendra Modi government. He stated, "The redefinition threat to the Aravali ecosystem is still there." Ramesh noted that widespread opposition from environmental groups, civil society organisations, the media, and the public had forced a rethink after the November 20 verdict. He emphasized that pressure must be sustained and intensified to ensure the committee does not endorse the earlier judgment "in any form or to any degree."
No justifiable case for redefinition, says Ramesh
Ramesh maintained that there is "no justifiable case whatsoever" for redefining the Aravali ranges and pointed out that the Forest Survey of India itself rejected the proposal in September 2025. He stressed that the high-powered committee must act independently to protect the ecologically sensitive Aravali ecosystem, which remains under threat from the proposed redefinition.
