A day after the Supreme Court’s decision on the Aravallis, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized the need for the court to halt retrospective environmental approvals. He also called for the rejection of changes to the Sarisa tiger reserve’s boundaries and the restoration of the National Green Tribunal’s authority without bias. Ramesh praised the government for reconsidering the definition of the Aravalli range following the court’s directive.
In a social media post, Ramesh highlighted three critical environmental issues that he believes require the Supreme Court’s immediate attention. These include stopping retrospective environmental clearances, reevaluating the proposed alterations to the Sariska Tiger Reserve, and empowering the NGT to function effectively.
Ramesh criticized the practice of granting retrospective environmental approvals, stating that it undermines the legal system and governance principles. He also expressed concerns about the diminishing authority of the National Green Tribunal over the years, urging the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure the NGT operates independently and in accordance with the law.
The Supreme Court recently stayed its order related to the height definition of the Aravallis, opting to form a new expert committee to assess previous recommendations on the range’s definition. This committee will explore the possibility of regulated mining in specific areas while safeguarding ecological continuity.
