A panel appointed by the Supreme Court seeks more time to submit its final report on Aravalli.

The Supreme Court-appointed Aravalli High-Powered Committee has requested an extension of six months to submit its final report to the apex court. The committee, in its compliance report dated August 31, has stated that more time is needed for a thorough and well-supported evaluation of the Aravalli range. The committee, which was formed on May 25, has been conducting an independent review of the Centre's report on the definition and delineation of the Aravallis.

According to the original deadline, the panel was supposed to submit its final report by August 31. However, in its compliance report, the committee has expressed the need to consider various factors such as spatial, ecological, geological, hydrological, socio-economic, and stakeholder evidence before drawing any conclusions about the Aravallis. In its compliance report, the panel has highlighted that the issues regarding the Aravallis are not limited to technical delineation and cannot be adequately addressed through a single criterion or source of evidence.

This is why a comprehensive analysis of the wider geological, geomorphological, hydrological, biogeographical, ecological, biodiversity, mineral-resource, and socio-economic aspects of the Aravalli is necessary. The proposed method, known as the Aravalli Ecosystem Landscape framework, aims to identify areas with varying socio-ecological characteristics and suggest differentiated approaches to conservation and management. The panel has also recommended assessing the effectiveness of the existing regulatory framework in addressing these areas.

To ensure the accuracy and relevance of the framework, the committee has proposed that it be reviewed and evaluated by domain experts and stakeholders before its finalization. It is worth noting that the panel conducted a field visit to the Aravallis from August 6 to August 11, during which public hearings were also held. Additionally, the committee has received around 680 representations through both electronic and physical submissions as of August 26, as mentioned in its compliance report.

The committee has urged the top court to extend the deadline for submitting the final report to February 28, 2027, to allow ample time for the necessary assessments, validations, and synthesis. The compliance report emphasizes the importance of a thorough and well-supported evaluation of the Aravalli range to ensure effective conservation and management of this vital ecosystem.