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Scientists, elder biology and argumentation experts, and different stakeholders from crossed India person written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), raising questions implicit the creation of the Supreme Court-appointed high-powered adept committee tasked with reviewing the Centre's study connected the explanation and delineation of the Aravalli elevation range.
The letters, written connected Thursday (June 18, 2026) and Friday (June 19, 2026), question changes to the committee’s composition, citing concerns astir its independence.
The committee, constituted nether the Supreme Court's May 25 order, is headed by Kanchan Devi, Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and has been directed to taxable its study by August 31.
The different members of the sheet are Dr. Subhash Ashutosh, erstwhile Director General of the Forest Survey of India; Dr. Rajendra Kumar Sharma, erstwhile Director of the Geological Survey of India; Brij Mohan Singh Rathore, erstwhile Joint Secretary successful the Environment Ministry; and Professor Ashok K. Bhatnagar, erstwhile caput of the Department of Botany astatine Delhi University.
The tribunal besides appointed Professor Jagdish Krishnaswamy of the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru, and Professor Laxmikant Sharma of the Central University of Haryana arsenic peculiar invitees whom the chairperson whitethorn subordinate with the committee's work, if required.
The Environment Ministry was directed to nominate an serviceman of the fertile of manager to service arsenic the panel's subordinate secretary.
In 1 of the letters, environmentalist and societal scientist, Dr. Ravi Chopra expressed doubts astir the panel's quality to supply autarkic written opinions connected the disputed issues, noting that astir each its members are serving oregon retired authorities officials.
Referring to his acquisition arsenic seat of 2 Supreme Court-appointed committees, Mr. Chopra wrote that serving and retired authorities officials and scientists from government-funded institutions had, successful his experience, "never voted against the views of the authorities successful power", contempt expressing contrary opinions during discussions.
In a abstracted letter, situation and argumentation adept Sagar Dhara cited examples of erstwhile Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committees (HPC), which were headed by eminent scientists and autarkic domain experts.
“Eminent physicist Professor MGK Menon was appointed successful 1997 arsenic caput of the HPC constituted to formulate a broad regulatory model regarding hazardous discarded management. The substance concerning the preservation and conservation of the Aravallis requires a akin attack wherever the prime of members, including the Chairperson, should not beryllium confined to lone serving oregon retired authorities officers,” helium added.
Meanwhile, Samita Kaur, an environmentalist from Punjab, called for the assignment of those members successful the committee who person expertise connected wellness issues, occupational issues including accepted livelihoods, ecology, wildlife, hydrology, etc.
