SURVEY OF ARAVALI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The forest and mining departments will carry out the first baseline study of the Aravalli in seven districts of Haryana before put ting into action a 6-month plan to protect and revive the ancient hills.

Baseline Survey

• It is a comprehensive study of the hills in 7 districts of Haryana - Gurgaon, Nuh, Faridabad, Rewari, Mahendergarh, Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani. It will become the foundation of a plan to protect the Aravalli and restore degraded forest land.

Aravalli Range

• Location: North-western of India, stretching from Delhi to Gujarat through Haryana and Rajasthan
• Historical Significance: It stands as one of the oldest fold mountains globally, bearing witness to millions of years of Earth's history.
• Length: 670 km 
• Formation: Its formation is deeply rooted in the collision of tectonic plates during the Proterozoic era, shaping the landscape we see today.
• Geological Context: As part of the Indian Shield, it represents a significant geological formation formed through ancient cratonic collisions.
• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar Peak (1722m) on Mount Abu.
• Rivers: Major rivers like Banas, Sahibi, and Luni originate from the Aravalli, contributing to the rich hydrology of the region and its surrounding areas.
• Erosional History: Despite once towering to great heights, the Aravalli has weathered over millions of years, attesting to the relentless forces of erosion.
• Minerals: The range boasts abundant mineral resources like copper, zinc, lead, and marble, contributing to economic activities and historical significance.
• Division: It can be classified into two main sections: the Sambhar-Sirohi ranges, featuring notable peaks like Guru Shikhar, and the Sambhar-Khetri ranges, characterized by discontinuous ridges.