New Delhi, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request by the High-Powered Committee (HPC) examining the definition and protection of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges for a six-month extension, directing it to submit its final report by November 30.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana made it clear that no further extension would be granted to the committee, whose earlier deadline expired on August 31.
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant took exception to the request for time until February 28, 2027, observing that it effectively sought an adjournment beyond his tenure.
“The committee has basically asked for an adjournment till my retirement,” the CJI remarked.
The Bench directed the HPC to complete its exercise by November 30 and said it should, if necessary, “work day and night” to meet the deadline. It also indicated that the panel could be reconstituted if it failed to complete the exercise within the extended timeframe.
The court stressed that the committee must undertake an effective consultation process before finalising its findings. It directed the HPC to hear all relevant stakeholders, including tribal communities in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The Supreme Court also permitted the committee to submit issue-specific interim reports wherever necessary, allowing the court to consider urgent matters concerning the Aravalli Hills without waiting for the entire exercise to be completed.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Bench that an interim report had already been prepared. The court, however, emphasised that the committee should submit a final report and not merely an interim report.
Bhati submitted that the committee required additional time to hear stakeholders effectively and place relevant material before the court. She said affected parties had received only limited opportunity to present their views and that a proper hearing was necessary before the HPC finalised its recommendations.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 2.
The proceedings arise from a suo motu case concerning the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. In June, the Supreme Court constituted a five-member HPC headed by the Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to conduct a comprehensive scientific assessment of issues relating to the definition and demarcation of the ecologically sensitive Aravalli Hills and Ranges.
The committee was tasked with examining the environmental, geological and ecological implications of the parameters used to identify the Aravalli range and was originally directed to submit its report by August 31.
The court had asked the HPC to adopt a broad-based consultative approach and invite suggestions from governments, environmentalists, conservationists, non-profit organisations, mining lease holders, project proponents, farmers, mine workers and local communities.
It had also clarified that the issues identified for consideration were indicative and not exhaustive, allowing the committee to examine additional factors relevant to preserving the Aravalli ecosystem.
The expert panel was constituted after the Supreme Court in December last year kept in abeyance its earlier directions prescribing a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills.
The Bench had expressed concern that the revised definition, under which only landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more were classified as Aravalli hills, could potentially leave large ecologically connected areas outside the protective framework.
In January this year, the Supreme Court extended the stay on its earlier verdict, directed maintenance of status quo and proposed a specialised expert committee to examine all aspects concerning the Aravalli range.
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