Supreme Court Panel To Inspect Mining And Forest Areas In Rajasthan’s Aravalli Region From October 11

A Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) will visit Rajasthan’s Vagad region from October 11 to 13 to assess mining activities, forest conditions and the impact of land-use practices on local communities in the Aravalli mountain range.

The panel will inspect the Paldeval-Sarkan area in Dungarpur district on October 11 and the Kevadiya-Kothara area in Banswara district on October 12. It will also meet villagers, tribal communities and other stakeholders to understand the region’s environmental challenges and livelihood concerns.

The visit follows the committee’s tour of the Aravalli region in Gujarat from October 8 to 10. Its findings will contribute to a comprehensive report that the Supreme Court has directed it to submit by November 30, 2026.

Mining, Forest Cover And Tribal Livelihoods In Focus

During the inspections, the committee will examine mining and quarrying activities, including stone-crushing operations, forest cover, water sources and surrounding ecological conditions. It will also assess existing land-use patterns and their environmental implications.

The panel will look into how mining and land-use practices affect local residents, particularly tribal communities whose livelihoods are closely linked to the region’s natural resources.

Environmentalists, subject experts, mining leaseholders, villagers, farmers, labourers and tribal representatives are expected to share their views. Evening consultations are planned in both districts, with around three hours set aside each day for discussions.

Why The Supreme Court Constituted The Committee

In an order dated May 25, 2026, the Supreme Court constituted a five-member High-Powered Committee chaired by the Director General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

The panel was tasked with independently examining the previously formulated definition of the Aravalli range and the process used to demarcate its hills. The exercise aims to assess the range’s ecological characteristics and address concerns surrounding its conservation.

The committee’s assessment is expected to consider the relationship between the Aravalli landscape, forest ecosystems, wildlife, mining activities and the livelihoods of communities living in the region.

Earlier Visit Raised Concerns Over Stakeholder Participation

The committee had earlier undertaken a five-day tour of Rajasthan, conducting field inspections and consulting stakeholders at several locations. However, concerns were raised over inadequate participation, particularly among rural residents and tribal communities.

This led to calls for another ground-level assessment in southern Rajasthan, with greater emphasis on hearing directly from people affected by decisions concerning the Aravalli region.

In an order dated September 7, the Supreme Court clarified that the committee must provide sufficient opportunities for all relevant stakeholders, including tribal communities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, to present their views.

Rajasthan Forest Department To Assist Inspections

The Rajasthan government has mobilised the Forest Department and local field officials ahead of the visit. A senior Forest Department official will coordinate the fieldwork, while Deputy Conservators of Forests (DCFs) and other personnel from Dungarpur and Banswara will accompany the panel.

The arrangements are intended to facilitate site inspections, provide relevant field information and enable direct interaction with local stakeholders.

The committee is scheduled to conclude its Rajasthan visit on October 13. Its findings will feed into the broader assessment of the Aravalli hills’ definition, demarcation and conservation, with the final report due before the Supreme Court by November 30, 2026.