Gurugram, Oct. 29 -- A Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee examining the definition and demarcation of the Aravalli hills and ranges visited villages in Charkhi Dadri and Mahendergarh on Tuesday, where residents raised concerns over mining, groundwater depletion, damage to homes and the auction of land notified as protected forest.

The committee held consultations at Ramalwas village in Charkhi Dadri and Rajawas village in Mahendergarh, hearing concerns from residents, farmers and environmental campaigners about the impact of mining on the region's ecology and livelihoods.

Villagers sought action against mining operations allegedly violating environmental norms, restoration of mined-out areas and an investigation into the auc...