What happened
Environmentalists and activists have criticised a Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee that is reviewing the definition and delineation of the Aravali hills. Their objection is to the committee’s consultation method, which seeks feedback only through email and Google forms.
The criticism is that a digital-only process can exclude rural communities in the Aravali belt. These communities are often the most affected by decisions on the range and may not be comfortable with online submission systems.
Why the consultation process is being questioned
Environmentalists have argued that the committee should use wider outreach methods. They want notices in local languages in panchayat buildings, schools, anganwadis, and community halls. They also want the consultation period extended and the committee to visit villages directly.
The core concern is participation. In an ecologically sensitive and economically contested landscape, consultation design can shape whose evidence reaches decision-makers and whose concerns remain unheard.
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