The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has agreed to the names proposed by the Central Empowered Committee for a 10‑member expert panel to draft a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills. The Supreme Court, awaiting the panel’s report, has paused mining activities pending clarification of key criteria such as elevation and inter‑hill gaps, making the issue pivotal for UPSC environment and polity studies.
Overview The MoEFCC has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that it has no objection to the composition of the proposed 10‑member high‑powered expert committee. The committee, to be constituted by the CEC , will draft a uniform definition for the Aravalli hills . Key Developments MoEFCC affirmed the names suggested by the CEC, which include senior officials from FSI , Geological Survey of India, Survey of India, and eminent academicians. The affidavit noted that the ministry has no additional names to propose at this stage. The Supreme Court, on 26 February, asked the ministry and other stakeholders to recommend domain experts for the panel, emphasizing that only lawful mining would be permitted in the Aravalli region. Earlier, on 29 December, the Court stayed its own November 20 order that had accepted a uniform definition and had halted all mining activities pending clarification of critical ambiguities such as the 100‑metre elevation criterion and the 500‑metre inter‑hill gap. Important Facts The ten‑member panel is expected to comprise: Devi , 1991 IFS officer (Madhya Pradesh cadre) with three decades of experience in forestry education, wildlife policy and institutional leadership. Subhash Ashutosh , former Director General of FSI . Rajendra Kumar Sharma , former Director of Geological Survey of India. Tejal Kanitkar , climate and energy policy expert. Jaya Parkash Yadav , senior life‑sciences researcher. Tejbir Singh Rana , senior geographer. SV Singh , former Additional Surveyor General of India. CN Pandey , former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Gujarat. Dharmendra Prakash , former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Nagaland. Additional recommendations: RN Mishra (author) and Vijay Dhasmana (ecological restoration practitioner). UPSC Relevance Understanding the procedural interface between the judiciary, the executive (MoEFCC), and expert committees is crucial for GS 2 (Polity) and GS 3 (Environment). The case illustrates how legal definitions can affect mining permissions, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development—core topics in the environment and governance syllabus. Way Forward The expert committee must conduct a comprehensive, stakeholder‑inclusive study to resolve ambiguities around the 100‑metre elevation and 500‑metre gap criteria. Its final report will guide the Supreme Court’s next order on permissible mining, thereby shaping the regulatory framework for the Aravalli ecosystem.
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Overview
Supreme Court mandates expert panel to define Aravalli, shaping mining and conservation policy
Key Facts
MoEFCC filed an affidavit on 26 Feb 2024 in the Supreme Court, expressing no objection to the 10‑member expert committee.
The committee is to be constituted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to draft a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills for mining regulation.
Key criteria under debate are the 100‑metre elevation threshold and the 500‑metre inter‑hill gap for permissible mining.
The 10‑member panel includes senior officials from FSI, GSI, Survey of India and eminent academicians such as Devi (IFS), Subhash Ashutosh (FSI) and Rajendra Kumar Sharma (GSI).
On 29 Dec 2023 the Supreme Court stayed its own 20 Nov 2023 order that had accepted a uniform definition and halted all mining in the Aravalli pending clarification.
MoEFCC has not proposed any additional names beyond those suggested by the CEC, signalling executive concurrence with the panel’s composition.
Background & Context
The Aravalli range, spanning four states, is ecologically sensitive and rich in biodiversity. Defining its legal boundaries is crucial because mining permissions hinge on a uniform definition, linking environmental protection with judicial oversight and executive policy.
UPSC Syllabus Connections
Prelims_GS•Constitution and Political SystemEssay•Environment and SustainabilityGS2•Executive and Judiciary - structure, organization and functioning
Mains Answer Angle
GS 3 (Environment) – Discuss how the formation of a high‑powered expert committee influences regulatory outcomes for mining in ecologically fragile zones. GS 2 (Polity) – Analyse the interplay between the Supreme Court, MoEFCC and the CEC in environmental governance.