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ARTICLE · 22 JUNE 2026

Ecology Over Expediency: The Supreme Court’s Cautious Approach To Protecting The Aravalli Hills

IndiaLaw LLP
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The Supreme Court of India, by its order dated 25 May 2026, directed the constitution of a five-member High-Powered Expert Committee to resolve critical definitional...

IndiaEnvironment
Tanvi Dalvi
Tanvi Dalvi

Order dated 25 May 2026 | Coram: The Chief Justice, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice Vipul M. Pancholi

The Supreme Court of India, by its order dated 25 May 2026, directed the constitution of a five-member High-Powered Expert Committee to resolve critical definitional and ecological questions surrounding the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. This order pauses implementation of earlier directions pending independent expert scrutiny, marking a significant moment in Indian environmental jurisprudence.

Background and Genesis of the Litigation

The Aravalli Hills and Ranges, among the most ancient geological formations on the Indian subcontinent, span the States of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi (NCT), and Gujarat. They have long been at the epicentre of contentious litigation balancing ecological imperatives against developmental and extractive interests.

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