New Delhi: A group of leading scientists, environmental policy experts and conservation organisations from across India has urged Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to reconsider the composition of a newly constituted Supreme Court committee tasked with examining the protection of the Aravalli mountain range.
In separate representations submitted on June 18 and 19, the experts argued that the panel lacks the independence and multidisciplinary expertise required to address one of India’s most significant environmental challenges.
The concerns relate to a committee constituted under the Supreme Court’s order dated May 25, 2026. The petitioners contend that the panel does not meet the standards of an independent High-Powered Expert Committee envisioned by the court during suo motu proceedings initiated on December 29, 2025.
Stalin Dayanand, Director of environmental organisation Vanashakti, questioned the committee’s impartiality, noting that both the Chairperson and Member Secretary are associated with institutions functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). According to him, the committee cannot be considered fully independent when individuals linked to institutions whose earlier recommendations are under scrutiny are involved in the review process.
Environmental groups have also raised concerns over discrepancies in official assessments of the Aravalli region. Joseph Hoover, Managing Trustee of the United Conservation Movement, pointed to findings in a September 2025 Forest Survey of India (FSI) report that highlighted the ecological importance of low-lying hills in preventing desertification. He questioned why the FSI identified 63 Aravalli districts, while a ministry affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court referred to only 37 districts.
Veteran environmentalist Dr Ravi Chopra, who has previously headed Supreme Court-appointed environmental committees, expressed reservations about the panel’s ability to function independently. In his communication to the Chief Justice, he noted that government officials and scientists from government-funded institutions often hesitate to publicly differ from official government positions, even when concerns are raised during internal discussions.
Geoscientist Professor C.P. Rajendran called for broader representation on the committee, recommending the inclusion of independent ecologists, hydrologists, environmental scientists, public health specialists and conservation experts rather than a panel dominated by serving and retired government officials.
Environmental policy expert Sagar Dhara highlighted the Supreme Court’s past practice of appointing respected independent experts such as Dr Ravi Chopra and renowned physicist Professor M.G.K. Menon to lead committees dealing with environmentally sensitive matters.
Several activists also stressed the need to examine the social and health impacts of mining activities in the Aravalli region. Pushkar Kulkarni of Save Pune Hills argued that any assessment of mining would remain incomplete without evaluating its effect on local communities, livelihoods and public health.
Odisha-based environmental activist Prafulla Samantara suggested that neither the Chairperson nor the Member Secretary should be serving officers of the MoEFCC or affiliated institutions. Environmentalist Samita Kaur further called for representation from experts in wildlife conservation, ecology, hydrology, occupational health and traditional livelihoods.
Dr Sumita Kale of Pune recommended that the committee submit its findings directly to the Supreme Court and be granted additional time beyond the current August 31 deadline to conduct consultations across all Aravalli districts.
The Aravalli range, one of the world’s oldest mountain systems, plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation, groundwater recharge and preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. Environmentalists argue that its protection is critical not only for ecological balance but also for the long-term environmental security of several northern Indian states.
