The SC has modified an National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to constitute a fresh committee to look into environmental concerns. It ordered the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to form the high-powered committee (HPC) by 22 August 2019.

The NGT had constituted a committee headed by a former Uttarakhand High Court Judge to monitor the project. The SC also added representatives from Physical Research Laboratory under the government's Department of Space, Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India, MoEF (from Dehradun regional office) and Defence Ministry to the HPC.

SC asked the committee to submit its recommendations within four months. The HPC will also hold quarterly meetings thereafter to ensure compliance and may suggest any further measure after each review meeting.

The committee shall consider the cumulative and independent impact of the Chardham project on the entire Himalayan valleys and for that purpose, the HPC will give directions to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

The HPC will consider whether revision of the full Chardham highway project should at all take place with a view to minimize the adverse impact on the environment and social life. It will identify the sites where quarrying has started recommend measures required to stabilise the area and for safe disposal of muck.

It will also assess the environmental degradation--loss of forest lands, trees, green cover, water resources etc-- on the wildlife and will direct mitigation measures.

In Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (Gangotri to Uttarkashi), the HPC will make special provisions in its report keeping in mind the guidelines given under the notification of the Bhagirathi ESZ to avoid violations and any environmental damage.

The HPC will also suggest the areas in which afforestation should be taken and the kind of saplings to be planted.