| Aravalli Range | |
|---|---|
 The Aravali Range in Rajasthan | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Guru Shikhar,Mount Abu |
| Elevation | 1,722 m (5,650 ft) |
| Coordinates | 24°35′33″N74°42′30″E / 24.59250°N 74.70833°E /24.59250; 74.70833 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 670 km (420 mi) |
| Naming | |
| Pronunciation | Hindi pronunciation:[əɾaːʋ(ə)li] |
| Geography | |
 Topographic map of India showing the range | |
| Country | India |
| States | |
| Regions | |
| Rivers | |
| Settlements | |
| Range coordinates | 25°00′N73°30′E / 25°N 73.5°E /25; 73.5 |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Aravalli-Delhi Orogen |
| Rock age | Precambrian |
| Rock type(s) | Fold mountains fromplate tectonics |
TheAravalli Range (also spelledAravali) is a mountain range innorth-westernIndia, running approximately 670 km (420 mi) in a south-west direction, starting nearDelhi, passing through southernHaryana[1] andRajasthan, and ending in Ahmedabad,Gujarat.[2][3] The highest peak isGuru Shikhar inMount Abu, Rajasthan at 1,722 m (5,650 ft). Aravalli range is the oldestfold-mountain belt in India, dating back to thePaleoproterozoic era.[4][5]
Aravalli, a compositeSanskrit word from the roots"ara" and"vali", literally means the"line of peaks".[6][7]
The Aravalli Range, an eroded stub of ancient mountains, is believed to be the oldest range offold mountains in India.[8] Thenatural history of the Aravalli Range dates back to times when theIndian Plate was separated from theEurasian Plate by an ocean. The Proterozoic Aravalli-Delhiorogenic belt in northwest India is similar to the younger Himalayan-type orogenic belts of theMesozoic-Cenozoic era (of thePhanerozoic) in terms of component parts and appears to have passed through a near-orderlyWilson supercontinental cycle of events. The range rose in aPrecambrian event called theAravalli-Delhi Orogen. The Aravalli Range is a northeast–southwest trending orogenic belt located in the northwestern part of Indian Peninsula. It is part of theIndian Shield that formed from a series ofcratonic collisions.[9] In ancient times, Aravalli were extremely high but since have worn down almost completely from millions of years ofweathering, whereas theHimalayas, young fold mountains, are still continuously rising. Aravalli have stopped growing higher due to the cessation of upward thrust caused by thetectonic plates in theEarth's crust below them. The Aravalli Range joins two of the ancient Earth's crust segments that make up the greater Indiancraton, theAravalli Craton which is theMarwar segment of Earth's crust to the northwest of the Aravalli Range, and theBundelkand Craton segment of the Earth's crust to the southeast of the Aravalli Range. Cratons, generally found in the interiors of tectonic plates, are old and stable parts of the continentallithosphere that have remained relatively undeformed during the cycles of merging and rifting of continents.
It consists of two mainsequences formed in theProterozoiceon,metasedimentary rock (sedimentary rocksmetamorphosed under pressure and heat without melting) andmetavolcanic rock (metamorphosed volcanic rocks) sequences of theAravalli Supergroup andDelhi Supergroup. These twosupergroups rest over theArchean Bhilwara Gneissic Complex basement, which is agneissic (high-grade metamorphism of sedimentary or igneous rocks)basement formed during thearcheaneon 4Ga ago. It started as aninverted basin, thatrifted and pulled apart intogranitoidbasement, initially during Aravallipassive rifting around 2.5 to 2.0 Ga years ago and then during Delhiactive rifting around 1.9 to 1.6 Ga years ago. It started with rifting of a rigid Archaean continentbanded gneissic complex around 2.2 Ga with the coexisting formation of the Bhilwaraaulacogen in its eastern part and eventual rupturing and separation of the continent along a line parallel to the Rakhabdev (Rishabhdev) lineament to the west, simultaneous development of apassive continental margin with the undersea shelf rise sediments of the Aravalli-Jharol belts depositing on the attenuated crust on the eastern flank of the separated continent, subsequent destruction of the continental margin byaccretion of the Delhiisland arc (a type of archipelago composed of an arc-shaped chain of volcanoes closely situated parallel to aconvergent boundary between two converging tectonic plates) from the west around 1.5 Ga. This tectonic plates collision event involved early thrusting with partialobduction (overthrusting of oceanic lithosphere onto continental lithosphere at a convergent plate boundary) of theoceanic crust along the Rakhabdev lineament, flattening and eventualwrenching (also called strike-slip plate fault, sideways horizontal movement of colliding plates with no vertical motion) parallel to the collision zone. Associatedmafic igneous rocks show both continental and oceanictholeiitic geochemistry (magnesium and iron-rich igneous rocks) fromphanerozoic eon (541–0 million) with rift-relatedmagmatic rock formations.[10]
The Aravalli-Delhi Orogen is anorogen event that led to a large structural deformation of the Earth's lithosphere (crust and uppermost mantle, such as Aravalli and Himalayas fold mountains) due to the interaction between tectonic plates when a continental plate is crumpled and is pushed upwards to form mountain ranges, and involve a great range of geological processes collectively calledorogenesis.[11][12]
Thearchean basement had served as arigid indentor which controlled the overallwedge shaped geometry of the orogen.Lithology of area shows that the base rocks of Aravalli are of Mewar Gneiss formed by high-grade regionalmetamorphic processes from preexisting formations that were originallysedimentary rock with earliest life form that were formed during thearchean eon, these contain fossils ofunicellular organism such asgreen algae andcyanobacteria instromatolitic carbonate ocean reefs formed during thepaleoproterozoicera.Sedimentary exhalative deposits ofbase metalsulfide ores formed extensively along several, long, linear zones in the Bhilwara aulacogen or produced local concentration in the rifted Aravalli continental margin, where rich stromatoliticphosphorites also formed.Tectonic evolution of the Aravalli Mountains shows Mewar Gneiss rocks are overlain by Delhi Supergroup type of rocks that also have post-Aravalli intrusions. Metal sulfide ores were formed in two different epochs, lead and zinc sulfide ores were formed in the sedimentary rocks around 1.8 Ga years ago duringPaleoproterozoic phase. Thetectonic setting of zinc-lead-copper sulfides mineralisation in the Delhi supergroup rocks in Haryana-Delhi were formed bymantle plume volcanic action around one billion years ago covering Haryana and Rajasthan during themesoproterozoic. In the southern part of the Aravalli supergroup arc base metal sulfides were generated near the subduction zone on the western fringe and in zones of back-arc extension to the south-east. Continued subduction producedtungsten-tin mineralisation in S-type (sedimentary unmetamorphosed rock),felsic (volcanic rock), andplutons (crystallised solidified magma). This includes commercially viable quantities of minerals, such asrock phosphate,lead-zinc-silver mineral deposits atZawar, Rikahbdevserpentinite,talc,pyrophyllite,asbestos,apatite,kyanite andberyl.[13][14]
Mining of copper and other metals in the Aravalli range dates back to at least the 5th century BCE, based oncarbon dating.[15][16] Recent research indicates that copper was already mined here during theSothi-Siswal period going back toc. 4000 BCE. AncientKalibangan andKunal, Haryana settlements obtained copper here.[17]
TheIndian Craton includesfive major cratons. Cratons are part ofcontinental crust made up of upper layer calledplatforms and older bottom layer calledbasement rocks.shields are part of a craton where basement rockcrops out at the surface and it is the relatively oldest and most stable part that are undeformed by theplate tectonics. TheAravalli Craton (Marwar-Mewar Craton or Western Indian Craton) coversRajasthan as well aswestern andsouthernHaryana. It includes the Mewar Craton in the east and Marwar Craton in the west. It is limited by the Great Boundary Fault in the east, theThar Desert in the west, Indo-gangetic alluvium in the north, and theSon River-Narmada River-Tapti River basins in the south. It mainly hasquartzite,marble,pelite,greywacke and extinct volcanos exposed in theAravalli-Delhi Orogen.Malani Igneous Suite is the largest in India and third largestigneous suit in the world.[18][19] The uniqueness of the geological feature of Malani Igneous Suite at Jodhpur prompted theGeological Survey of India to declare the site as aNational Geological Monument.[20]
Tectonic-stratigraphic evolution of the Aravalli Range:[18]
The stratigraphic classification of the Aravalli Range can be divided into the following parts (north to south direction):
TheTosham hills have severalIndus Valley Civilisation sites in and around the hill range as the area falls under copper-bearing zone of Southwest Haryana and Northeast Rajasthan of Aravalli hill range.[22][23]
Investigation of IVC network of mineral ore needs for metallurgical work and trade, shows that the most common type of grinding stone at Harappa is of Delhi quartzite type found only in the westernmost outliers of the Aravalli range in southern Haryana near Kaliana and Makanwas villages of Bhiwani district. The quartzite is red-pink to pinkish grey in colour and is crisscrossed with thinhaematite and quartz filled fractures with sugary size grain texture.[24][25]
Ravindra Nath Singh and his team ofBanaras Hindu University carried outASI-financed excavations ofIndus Valley Civilisation site on the grounds of the Government School in Khanak, during 2014 and 2016. They foundearly to mature Harappan phase IVC materials, pottery, semiprecious beads oflapis lazuli,carnelian and others. They also found evidence of metallurgical activities, such ascrucibles (used for pouring molten metal), furnace lining, burnt floor, ash and ore slugs.Ceramic petrography,metallography,scanning electron microscope (SEM, non-destructive, surface images of nanoscale resolution),energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXA and EDXMA non-destructive, qualitative and quantitative elemental composition) andtransmission electron microscopy (TEM, destructive method) scientific studies of the material found prove that the Khanak site was inhabited by the IVC metal-workers who used the locally minedpolymetallictin, and they were also familiar with metallurgical work withcopper andbronze. The lowest level of site dates back as far the pre-Harappan era toSothi-Siswal culture (6600 BP) tentatively.[26]
The Ganeshwar Sunari Cultural Complex (GSCC) is a collection of third millennium BCE settlements in the area of the Aravalli Hill Range. Among them, there are similarities in material culture, and in the production of copper tools. They are located near the copper mines.
"The GSCC is east of the Harappan culture, to the north-east ofAhar–Banas Complex, north/north west to the Kayatha Culture and at a later date, west of the OCP-Copper Hoard sites (Ochre Coloured Pottery culture–Copper Hoard culture). Located within the regions of the Aravalli Hill Range, primarily along the Kantli, Sabi, Sota, Dohan and Bondi rivers, the GJCC is the largest copper producing community in third millennium BCE South Asia, with 385 sites documented. Archaeological indicators of the GSCC were documented primarily in Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar districts of Rajasthan, India ..."[27]
Pottery found in the area include incised ware, and reserved slipware.
There are two maintype sites,Ganeshwar, andSunari, in Tehsil Kot Putli,Jaipur district (Geo coordinates: N 27° 35' 51", 76° 06' 85" E).
The Northern Aravalli range in Delhi and Haryana hashumid subtropical climate andhot semi-aridcontinental climate with very hot summers and relatively cool winters.[28] The main characteristics of climate in Hisar are dryness, temperature extremes, and low rainfall.[29] The maximum daytime temperature during the summer varies between 40 and 46 °C (104 and 115 °F). During winter, its ranges between 1.5 and 4 °C.[30]
The Central Aravalli range inRajasthan has an arid and dry climate.
The Southern Aravalli range inGujarat has atropical wet and dry climate
Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries ofYamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into theRann of Kutch.
"The Great Green Wall of Aravalli" is a proposed 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi, it will be connected toShivalik hill range and 1.35 billion (135 crore) new native trees will be planted over 10 years to rehabilitate the forest cover in this area. To be implemented on a concept similar to theGreat Green Wall ofSahara in Africa, it will act as a buffer against pollution, 51% of which is caused by the industrial pollution, 27% by vehicles, 8% bycrop burning and 5% bydiwali fireworks.[36] It was proposed several times form the 1990s, but as of 2024 the project is still in the planning stage.[37] On theWorld Environment Day 5 June 2025, Prime Minister Modi kickstarted the phase-I of re-greening of this green wall as extension of the"Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (one tree [by each person], for the mother [nature]" campaign which will last till 2027, entailing setting up 1000 permanent nurseries of the native plants for the ongoing regreening of Aravalli by replacing the foreign species. The effort also entails development of the trails, eco parks, wildlife safaris, and people's involvement in 29 districts across 4 states and 700 km mountain range.[38]
The Sariska–Delhi leopard wildlife corridor or the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor is a 200 km long importantbiodiversity andwildlife corridor which runs from theSariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge.[39]
This corridor is an important habitat for the Indianleopards andjackals of Aravalli. In January 2019, theWildlife Institute of India announced that they will undertake the survey of leopard and wildlife, using pugmarks and trap cameras, subsequently, leopards and jackals will be tracked via theradio collars. Urban development, especially the highways and railways bisecting the Aravalli range and wildlife corridor in several places pose a great risk. Large parts of Aravalli are legally and physically unprotected, with no wildlife passages and little or no wildlife conservation work resulting in deaths of over 10 leopards in 4 years between January 2015 to January 2019.[40][41][42]
The Haryana side of the Gurugram-Faridabad Aravalli hill forests lack availability of water due to which wild animals are seldom seen there. The Government of Haryana used drones for aerial surveys and dug 22ephemeral pits in 2018 to store the rainwater which became dry during the summer months. In January 2019, the government announced the plan to make the pitperennial by connecting those with pipelines from the nearby villages.[43]
Human activity, such as unplanned urbanization and polluting industrial plants, also pose a great threat. There is often reluctance and denial on part of the government officials of the presence of wildlife such as leopard so that the forest land can be exploited and opened up for the intrusive human development.[44][45][43]
This habitat is under serious threat from the wrong actions of theGovernment of Haryana which in 2019 passedthe amendment to thePunjab Land Alienation Act, 1900 (PLPA). Governor has given his assent for the act, but it has not yet been notified by the Haryana government, hence it is in limbo and has not officially become a law. This amendment will reduce the Haryana's Natural Conservation Zones (NCZs) by 47% or 60,000 acres from 122,113.30 hectares to only 64,384.66 hectares. This is in violation of multiple guidelines of theSupreme Court of India as well as "NCR Planning Board" (NCRPB) notification which states the original 122,113.30 hectares ecologically sensitive forest ofSouth Haryana is a forest,"The major natural features, identified as environmentally sensitive areas, are the extension of Aravalli ridge in Rajasthan, Haryana and NCT-Delhi; forest areas; rivers and tributaries... major lakes and water bodies such asBadkhal lake,Suraj Kund andDamdama in Haryana sub-region".[46] This area as part ofNorthern Aravalli leopard and wildlife corridor is an important habitat for theleopards in Haryana.
This corridor runs from Sariska and Ranthmbor toRann of Kutch National Park andGir National Park in Gujarat.
The following national parks, wildlife reserves, and forests lie in the Aravalli Range.
The Aravalli Range has several forests with a diversity of environment.[47]
The Aravalli Range is rich in wildlife. The first-ever 2017 wildlife survey of a 200 square kilometre area crossing five districts (Gurgaon, Faridabad, Mewat, Rewari and Mahendergarh) ofHaryana by theWildlife Institute of India (WII) found 14 species, includingleopards,striped hyena (7 sightings),golden jackal (9 sightings, with 92% occupancy across the survey area),nilgai (55 sightings),palm civet[which?] (7 sightings),wild pig (14 sightings),rhesus macaque (55 sightings),peafowl (57 sightings) andIndian crested porcupine (12 sightings). Encouraged by the first survey, the wildlife department has prepared a plan for a comprehensive study and census of wildlife across the whole Aravalli Range, including radio collar tracking of the wild animals.[47] Well known leopard and hyena habitat is along the Ferozpure Jhirka-Nuh Aravali range as well asDelhi South Ridge (Faridabad-Gurugram) toFarrukhnagar area on the Delhi–Haryana border, with reports of sightings in Saidpur, Lokri and Jhund Sarai Viran villages near the KMP expressway; Bhukarka 7 km from Pataudi; Pathkori, Bhond, Mandawar in Ferozepur Jirka region.[48]
In May 1992, some parts of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan and Haryana were protected from mining through the Ecologically Sensitive Areas clauses of Indian laws. In 2003, the central government of India prohibited mining operations in these areas. In 2004, India's Supreme Court banned mining in the notified areas of Aravalli Range. In May 2009, theSupreme Court extended the ban on mining in an area of 448 km2 across theFaridabad,Gurgaon andMewat districts inHaryana, covering the Aravalli Range.[49][50]
A 2013 report used high-resolution Cartosat-1 and LISS-IV satellite imaging to determine the existence and condition of mines in the Aravalli Range. In the Guru Gram district, the Aravalli hills occupy an area of 11,256 hectares, of which 491 (4.36%) hectares had mines, of which 16 hectares (0.14%) were abandoned flooded mines. In the Faridabad and Mewat districts, about 3610 hectares were part of mining industry, out of a total of 49,300 hectares. These mines were primarily granite and marble quarries for India's residential and real estate construction applications.[51] In the Central Rajasthan region, Sharma states that the presence of some mining has had both positive and negative effects on neighboring agriculture and the ecosystem. The rain-induced erosion brings nutrients as well as potential contaminants.[52]
Damage to the environment and ecology from the unorganizedurbanization,overexploitation of the natural resources including water and minerals,mining, untreated human waste and disposal, pollution, loss of forest cover andwildlife habitat, unprotected status of most of the Aravalli and the lack of an integrated Aravalli management agency are the major causes of concern.[53][54]
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