Overview
- The High-Powered Committee told the Supreme Court on Friday that a single terrain or height rule cannot capture the Aravallis and asked for six more months to finish its work by late February 2027.
- The panel plans to combine geospatial mapping, field checks, expert review and local consultations under a proposed 'Aravali Ecosystem Landscape' framework to assess ecological, hydrological and cultural links.
- Field visits from August 6–11 found large parts of the range to be an interconnected landscape with shared water systems, biodiversity and cultural sites rather than isolated hills.
- The committee is studying the effects of mining, stone quarrying and unregulated sand extraction on drainage, topography, groundwater and wildlife and has received 680 formal representations from communities, industry and governments.
- The decision will determine which low-lying but connected areas get protection and could affect groundwater recharge, local livelihoods and Delhi-NCR’s exposure to dust storms; the Aravalli review follows last year’s disputed 100-metre cutoff that was stayed by the court.