The Aravalli Hills: Ancient Guardian of India’s Nature

The Aravalli Range: The eldermost Protector of Indian civilization

The Aravalli Range is also among the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, as it formed its origin 1.5 to 2 billion years ago, which is more than a billion years older than the Himalayas. The Aravallis are found in the northwestern part of India on a stretch of about 800km (starting at Palanpur in Gujarat), a stretch that cuts across Rajasthan and finally into Haryana and Delhi.

Geological 

This Aravalli Range was formed during the period of the Proterozoic Era, which is a period of great geological changes caused by the movements of tectonic plates, volcanic activity, and deposition. These mountains have been eroded over a period of millions of years, becoming low and rough hills as they are today. Gneiss, schist, marble, quartzite, and granite rocks that are found in the Aravallis can be used as key evidence in the formation of the crust of the early Earth.

Position in the Ancient Civilization

The Aravallis were a critical contribution to the development of the early Indian civilizations. They served as a natural climatic barrier, meaning that they were capable of keeping the Thar Desert at bay in the east, and they aided in maintaining fertile land. The source of rivers like the Banas, Luni, and Sahibi, which nourish agriculture and human settlement, came out of these hills.

Technological Significance of the Aravalli Range to Mankind.

The Aravalli range is not just a geological marvel but also a source of livelihood for human civilization in north-western India. It has been sustaining human survival, economic growth, culture, and environmental stability over the course of thousands of years. Its significance to human beings can be explained in the following key aspects:

1. The Green Wall Barricading the Desert Growth.

The Aravalli Range is a protective wall that is situated between the Thar Desert and the fertile plains of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and the western part of Uttar Pradesh. It blocks the desert winds and the movement of sand, thus slowing the process of desertification, leaving the areas open to human habitation and agriculture.

2. Groundwater and Source of Water Recharge

The Aravalli hills aid in trapping rainfall during the monsoon season to enable the water to trickle down to the ground and replenish aquifers. Most of the rivers and seasonal streams like Luni, Banas, Sahibi, and Sabi have their origins in this range. This water is used by millions of people to drink, irrigate, and carry out their daily chores.

3. Agricultural and Food Security

The Aravalli ecosystem enhances soil fertility by averting soil erosion and absorbing moisture. This has made the farming communities grow crops in even semi-arid areas. There would be extensive areas in the north-western Indian sub-continent without the Aravallis that would make it inhospitable to agriculture.

4. Influence of Climate Regulation and Rainfall

The Aravalli Range is important in managing the local and regional climatic conditions. It affects the flow of monsoon winds and the moderation of temperatures. These climatic changes have a direct effect on human health, crop cycles, and water supply.

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Aravalli Hills Redefined by Supreme Court, Causes Controversy

The Supreme Court adopts a new definition of the Aravalli Hills, which means that only landforms in excess of 100m in height would be covered, or else it may not offer protection to the entire range and allow it to fall prey to the demands of development.

The top court followed the scientific definition of the Centre of what qualifies as a hill within the range of Aravalli Hills (two or more hills 100m above local relief) and Aravalli Range (two or more hills).

It instructed the environment ministry to come up with a Management Plan of Sustainable Mining throughout the range before the mining activities are continued.

Activists Alarmed at Environmentalists

Professionals and environmental agencies lament that the updated definition may strip large ecologically important hills and slopes of protection, which may lead to greater threats of desertification, groundwater recharge depletion, greater pollution, and destruction of the ecosystem in Delhi-NCR and the region. 

Government’s Position

According to the Centre, the ruling of the Supreme Court safeguards over 90 per cent of the core Aravalli region, and that mining will continue to be strictly managed within the new system, refuting arguments that the court has reduced environmental protection.

Save the Aravalli Hills: Save Nature Preserve life

The Aravalli Hills are the oldest mountain ranges in the world, which are very crucial to the environment of India. They serve as a natural barrier to desertification, a home to rich biodiversity, and a source of groundwater to nourish millions of people. To save them, we should halt illegal mining, forest deforestation, and reforestation. There must be strong community action, application of the environmental laws, and sustainable development around the hills. By protecting the Aravallis, we are able to provide our future generations with a greener and healthier future.

1. Stop Unlawful Mining and Encroachments

The Aravalli Hills have been damaged severely over the years due to illegal mining and unauthorized construction. The mining activities eradicate the natural topography, topsoil, and litter rivers and underground water with chemicals and wastes. The construction of buildings, roads, or industries in the conservation areas results in deforestation and disturbance of plant and wildlife habitats.

These activities have the potential to interfere with the ecological balance, and their prevention is extremely important. This can be achieved through:

Stringent application of the environmental laws: The government must control the mining activities and punish the offenders so that they can comply.

Frequent surveillance and observation: The surveillance can be conducted through the use of satellite imagery, drones, and on-ground observation to identify illegal activities early.

Community engagement: It is possible to involve local people, who will become the guardians of the hills, reporting any violations and helping protect the natural environment.

2. Encourage Reforestation and Afforestation

The restoration of degraded forests through afforestation (planting new trees) and reforestation is essential to save the Aravalli Hills. The soil is susceptible to soil erosion, desertification, and loss of biodiversity because of deforestation and human activities in these hills. We can also enhance the ecosystem by planting native trees and rehabilitating the degraded areas to strengthen the ecosystem and enhance environmental health.

Key steps include:

Planting native species: Local trees and plants are adapted to the local climate, and they serve to stabilize the soil, to generate food and shelter for wildlife.

Rehabilitating degraded land: It is possible to restore the mined or cleared land with vegetation cover to avoid further erosion and land degradation.

Community-based programs: Local communities, schools, and organizations could organize tree-planting campaigns and keep the saplings till the time they develop into trees.

Conclusion

The Aravalli Hills are not only ancient mountains but also the lifeline of the northwestern part of India that supporting biodiversity that recharges the groundwater and helps to avoid environmental degradation. Although it is challenging to manage illegal mining, encroachments, and promote afforestation and reforestation, it is possible to maintain this natural heritage for future generations. Protecting the Aravallis is an individual duty- planting all the trees, reporting all the violations, and every action of creating awareness will help achieve a better, healthier future. Collectively, we will be able to make sure that the Aravalli Hills remain a source of natural strength and Indian ecological prosperity.