3 weeks ago
RSS-affiliate raises concerns over Aravalli panel's consultation process
There is a special group chosen by the Supreme Court of India to study the Aravalli hills.
The Aravalli hills are an old mountain range that passes through several states in India.
This group must check a government report about where the Aravalli hills begin and end.
They asked people to send their thoughts and suggestions about the hills.
But a social group called the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram says people did not get enough time to respond.
They also say the request for opinions did not reach everyone.
Many tribal families, farmers, and villagers who live near the hills never heard about it.
These people depend on the hills for their land, water, forests, and livelihoods.
The group is asking for more time so everyone can be heard.
They believe the final decision should only be made after talking to the people who live there.
Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA), an RSS-affiliated organisation, wrote to the Supreme Court-appointed Aravalli committee on August 2 raising issues over its July 21 public consultation notification.
ABVKA said the 21-day submission window was insufficient for affected communities to understand the issues, consult their Gram Sabhas and representatives, and collect documentary evidence.
The organisation claimed the notification was not widely published in mainstream or regional newspapers, particularly in Hindi and Gujarati, and that online channels may not reach remote rural communities.
The committee, tasked with independently reviewing the Centre's report on the definition and delineation of the Aravalli hill range, began field visits on August 6 and must submit its report by August 31.
Environment organisation People for Aravallis also wrote to the committee, warning that finalising the report without effective consultation of Aravalli-dependent communities would be imprudent.
- Who
- Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA), an RSS-affiliated welfare organisation, and environment group People for Aravallis, writing to the Supreme Court-appointed Aravalli committee.
- What
- Criticism that the committee's public consultation notification provided too little time and insufficient publicity, especially for rural, forest-dependent and Scheduled Tribe communities.
- Where
- New Delhi and the Aravalli hill range region spanning Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- When
- Letter dated August 2; notification issued July 21; committee field visits from August 6 to August 10; report due by August 31.
- Why
- The committee's recommendations may directly affect the land, forests, water resources, livelihoods and culture of Aravalli-dependent communities.
Community organisations
High-powered committee
Consultation timeline
Community organisations
A 21-day submission window is insufficient; at least 40 days of field consultations (two weeks in Rajasthan and one week in other states) are needed so affected communities can consult Gram Sabhas and gather records.
High-powered committee
The notification issued on July 21 gave stakeholders, including the states across which the Aravallis span, 21 days to submit representations via email or an official Google Form, ahead of the August 31 report deadline.
Publicity and reach
Community organisations
Publishing only through the PIB/MoEFCC website, email and an online form fails to reach villagers, farmers, mine workers, forest-dependent communities and Scheduled Tribe families in remote areas; Hindi and Gujarati regional publications were not used.
High-powered committee
The notification sought inputs from a broad spectrum of stakeholders and described a submission process supported 'to the extent possible' by documentary evidence, indicating the committee viewed its channels as adequate.
Key facts
- Committee
- Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee (HPC)
- Mandate
- Independent review of the Centre's report on definition and delineation of the Aravalli hill range
- Report deadline
- August 31
- Consultation notification
- Issued July 21; 21-day window for submissions via email or official Google Form
- Field visits
- August 6 to August 10
- ABVKA letter date
- August 2
- Aravalli states
- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and NCT of Delhi
- Other complainant
- People for Aravallis (environment organisation)
Quotes
Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram
RSS‑affiliated social welfare organisation advocating for Aravalli communities
“"A 21‑day period is insufficient for affected communities to understand the issues, consult their Gram Sabhas and representatives, collect relevant records and submit suggestions supported by documentary or verifiable material."”
theprint.in
ABVKA representative
Spokesperson of ABVKA highlighting urgency of consultation
“"We apprehend that completing an exercise of such far‑reaching importance in undue haste may undermine its fairness, inclusiveness and public acceptance."”
theprint.in
Sources
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