The Aravalli Range is among the oldest mountain systems in the world, dating back nearly 2 billion years to the Precambrian era. Stretching from Gujarat to Delhi, it forms the ecological backbone of north-western India.
Ecological Significance of the Aravalli Range:
1. Barrier Against Desertification
- The Aravallis act as a natural barrier preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert into the Indo-Gangetic plains.
2. Hydrological Importance
- Located in a semi-arid region (500–700 mm rainfall), the range functions as a major watershed, dividing drainage between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal systems.
- It supports groundwater recharge and sustains rivers such as Luni, Sabarmati and Chambal.
3. Biodiversity Hotspot
- The landscape supports dry deciduous forests, grasslands and wetlands, hosting species like tigers, leopards, Indian wolf, sloth bear and the Great Indian Bustard.
- It includes 22 wildlife sanctuaries and three tiger reserves, forming crucial ecological corridors.
4. Livelihood and Cultural Value: The region houses UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh) and major religious centres like Ajmer Sharif, Pushkar and Mount Abu, underscoring its civilisational importance.
Challenges to Conservation of the Aravallis:
1. Mining-Induced Degradation: Excessive and illegal mining has flattened hills, damaged aquifers and worsened air quality.
2. Urbanisation and Industrial Pressure: Rapid expansion of cities like Gurugram, Faridabad and Jaipur has led to deforestation and land-use change.
3. Governance Gaps: Absence of a uniform legal definition of the Aravallis.
Way Forward:
- Scientific Mapping: Comprehensive mapping of hills, slopes, recharge zones and wildlife corridors using standardised datasets. In 2025, the Court adopted a uniform definition of Aravalli hills (hills above 100 m).
- Strict Mining Regulation: Prohibition in ecologically sensitive zones; graded, risk-based controls elsewhere. In 2009, the Supreme Court imposed a ban on mining in parts of Haryana.
- Ecosystem Restoration: Reclaim mined areas; revive indigenous water systems like taankas and johads.
- Sand Drift Control: Vegetative stabilisation using native species to curb desertification.
- Community-Based Conservation: Align livelihood security with ecological restoration.
- People’s movements: Campaigns like Save Aravalli movement complements judicial action by sustaining pressure on enforcement agencies.
Conclusion:
The Aravalli Range is not merely a geological relic but a life-support system for north-western India. Protecting the Aravallis requires science-based zoning, strict mining governance, restoration at landscape scale, and sustained citizen oversight to secure water, air quality and biodiversity for north India.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- IIT-Delhi studies show degradation of the Aravallis increases dust transport into Delhi-NCR, worsening PM10 and PM2.5 pollution.
- CGWB has classified large parts of Gurugram–Faridabad–Alwar as over-exploited aquifers.
- The 2009 Supreme Court ban on mining in Faridabad, Gurugram and Mewat recognised the Aravallis as an ecological shield for NCR.
- Restoring the Aravallis supports India’s pledges under the Bonn Challenge, UNCCD (Land Degradation Neutrality) and Paris Agreement.
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