"Supreme Court Panel Invites Public Input on Aravallis: 21-Day Window for Feedback Now Open"

High-Powered Committee Seeks Input on Aravalli Conservation

Conservationists, stakeholders, and communities coected to the Aravalli Hills have been called upon to provide feedback to the High-Powered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court. The committee, tasked with examining issues surrounding the Aravalli Hills and Ranges, has officially requested responses from a diverse group of stakeholders, including states where the range extends.

The panel, as per a government press release, is seeking comments from various groups such as environmentalists, conservationists, non-profit organizations, mining leaseholders, project proponents, villagers, farmers, mine workers, and local communities whose lives are intertwined with the biodiversity of the region. Submissions, accompanied by supporting documentary evidence, are to be submitted via email or an official Google Form within 21 days.

The Aravalli range, dating back over a billion years, is among the oldest mountain ranges globally, formed during the Precambrian Era due to tectonic plate collisions. Spaing over 700 km across four states - Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi - with a significant portion in Rajasthan, the Aravallis hold immense ecological significance.

The Supreme Court constituted the committee, led by Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), to provide an impartial assessment and resolve uncertainties arising from a previous report. The panel aims to address critical issues and submit a comprehensive report to the court by August 31.

Concerns over the definition of the Aravalli Hills have sparked debates, with fears that a 100-metre elevation benchmark could leave vulnerable areas exposed to unchecked mining and construction. The committee, comprising experts from various fields, is tasked with delineating specific regions falling under the 100-metre definition and evaluating the ecological impact of mining activities within the Aravallis.

Nikhil Ghanekar, an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express in New Delhi, brings 14 years of journalistic experience to cover environmental policy matters and their impact on conservation and climate change. With a keen eye on government decisions and environmental policies, Ghanekar's in-depth reporting sheds light on crucial issues affecting the environment.

Stay tuned for further updates on the Aravalli conservation efforts as stakeholders and experts collaborate to safeguard this ancient and vital ecosystem.