However, the Supreme Court declined the request for a six-month extension till February 28, 2027, and granted time only until November 30 for submission of the final report.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 2.
The proceedings stem from a suo motu case concerning the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges.
In June, the Supreme Court had constituted a five-member High-Powered Committee headed by the Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to undertake a comprehensive scientific assessment of issues relating to the definition and demarcation of the ecologically sensitive Aravalli Hills and Ranges. The committee was asked to examine the environmental, geological and ecological implications of the parameters adopted for identifying the Aravalli range and submit its report by August 31.
The apex court had directed the HPC to adopt a broad-based consultative approach and invite suggestions from all relevant stakeholders, including governments, environmentalists, conservationists, non-profit organisations, mining lease holders, project proponents, farmers, mine workers and local communities.
The Supreme Court had also clarified that the issues identified for consideration were indicative and not exhaustive, allowing the committee to examine any additional factors it considered relevant to the preservation of the Aravalli ecosystem. The constitution of the expert panel followed the apex court’s decision in December last year to keep in abeyance its earlier directions prescribing a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills.
The CJI Kant-led Bench had then expressed concern that the revised definition, under which only landforms having 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 and directed maintenance of status quo, while proposing a specialised expert committee to examine all aspects concerning the Aravalli range.
–IANS
pds/uk
