Why in News?
The Centre failed to finalise a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills, raising concerns over mining, environmental protection, and compliance with Supreme Court directions.
Description:
Why is definition important?
- It determines Mining restrictions, Environmental clearances and the Applicability of court orders and conservation norms
- Controversy: Allegations that the draft definition would protect only hills above 100 metres, leaving large portions open to mining and degradation
About the Aravalli Range:
- Age & Type: One of the world’s oldest fold mountain systems (Proterozoic); part of the Aravalli–Delhi Orogenic Belt of the Indian Shield.
- Orientation & Extent: Runs south-west to north-east for ~670–700 km from Delhi → Haryana → Rajasthan → Gujarat (near Ahmedabad).
- Relief: Discontinuous ridges, hillocks, residual mountains; not a continuous chain.
- Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 m / 5,650 ft) at Mount Abu — highest point of the Aravallis.
- Physiographic Role: Acts as a climatic and hydrological barrier, separating NW arid Thar region from SE comparatively fertile plains.
- Drainage Divide: Major watershed —
- Western slopes: Luni–Sabarmati system (inland/Arabian Sea basins)
- Eastern slopes: Chambal–Banas–Berach → Yamuna system
- Characterised by seasonal rivers and paleochannels.
- Geology: Dominated by gneiss, schist, quartzite, marble; heavily eroded over time.
- Mineral Significance: Among India’s oldest mineral belts — copper, zinc, lead, marble
- Ecological & Historical Value:
- Checks eastward expansion of the Thar Desert
- Supports wetlands, groundwater recharge, biodiversity
- Hosts Indus Valley & OCP (Late Harappan) sites along Luni–Sahibi systems.
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