Aravalli Range
Aravalli Range | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Peak | Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu |
Elevation | 1,722 m (5,650 ft) |
Coordinates | 24°35′33″N 74°42′30″E / 24.59250°N 74.70833°E |
Dimensions | |
Length | 670 km (420 mi) |
Naming | |
Pronunciation | Hindi pronunciation: [əɾaːʋ(ə)li] |
Geography | |
Country | India |
States | Aravalli-Delhi Orogen |
Age of rock | Precambrian |
Type of rock | Fold mountains from plate tectonics |
The Aravalli Range (also spelled Aravali) is a mountain range in
The Aravalli Range is rich in natural resources and serves as check to the growth of the western desert.
Etymology
Aravalli, a composite Sanskrit word from the roots "ara" and "vali", literally means the "line of peaks".[8][9]
Natural history
Geology
The Aravalli Range, an eroded stub of ancient mountains, is believed to be the oldest range of
It consists of two main
The Aravalli-Delhi Orogen is an
Minerals
The
Mining
Mining of copper and other metals in the Aravalli range dates back to at least the 5th century BCE, based on
Geographical features
The
Tectonic-stratigraphic evolution
Tectonic-stratigraphic evolution of the Aravalli Range:[20]
- Neoproterozoic: Marwar Group
- 500–550 Ma: Malani Igneous Suite
- 720–750 Ma: Sindhrath/Punagarh Group
- 800–850 Ma: Sirohi Group
- 900 Ma: Erinpura granite
- Mesoproterozoic: Delhi Supergroup
- 1100–900 Ma: South Delhi fold belt
- 1600–1450 Ma: North Delhi fold belt
- Paleoproterozoic: Hindoli Group
- 1800–1700 Ma: Sandmata Complex
- 2200–1800 Ma: Aravalli Supergroup and mineralised basin at Rajpura-Dariba
- Neoarchean (2900–2600 Ma): Mangalwar Complex with Bhilwara Group
- Mesoarchean (3300–3000 Ma): Mewar gneiss with Jagat Supergroup
Stratigraphic classification
The stratigraphic classification of the Aravalli Range can be divided into the following parts (north to south direction):
- The Archean basement is a banded gneissic complex with schists (medium grade metamorphic rock), gneisses (high grade regional metamorphic rock), composite gneiss and quartzites. It forms the basement rock for both the Delhi Supergroup and the Aravalli Supergroup.
- Aravalli Supergroup: The Aravalli supergroup passes through Rajasthan state, dividing it into two halves, with three-fifths of Rajasthan on the western side towards the Thar Desert and two-thirds on the eastern side consisting of the catchment area of Banas and Chambal rivers bordering the state of Madhya Pradesh.[clarification needed] Guru Shikhar, the highest peak in the Aravalli Range at 5,650 feet (1,720 m) in Mount Abu of Rajasthan, lies near the south-western extremity of the Central Aravalli range, close to the border with Gujarat state. The southern Aravalli Supergroup enters the northeast of Gujarat near Modasa where it lends its name to the Aravalli district, and ends at the centre of the state at Palanpur near Ahmedabad.
- Champaner Group is a rectangular outcrop composed of .
- Lunavada Group is a polygon area in the south of the Aravali Orogen composed of greywacke-phyllite
- Jharol Group is spread over 200 km2 area with average width of 40 km carbonate-free phyllite and arenite with turbidite facies and argillaceous rocks.
- Udaipur Group is a thick accumulation of greywacke-phyllite basement overlain by dolomite.
- Debari Group consists of Carbonates, Quartzite, and Pelitic rocks which are overlain by the Delwara group.
- Delwara Group is spread over a 500 km2 area with average thickness of 500 m and includes basement orthoquartzite overlain by volcanic conglomerate.
- Unconformities
- Mangalwar/Sandmata Complex and Mewar Gneiss with enclaves of the Jagat group
- Delhi Supergroup
- Alwar Group with arenaceous and mafic volcanic rocks
- Delhi Ridge, in the north
- Haryana Aravalli ranges, in the west
- South Delhi (hills of Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary), where at the hills of Bandhwari, it meets the Haryana Aravalli range consisting of various isolated hills and rocky ridges passing along the southern border of Haryana.[23]
- Madhogarh hill
- Satnali hill
- Nuh-Ferozepur Jhirka hill range, runs along Haryana-Rajasthan border from Nuh to the south of Ferozepur Jhirka.
- Rajasthan Alwar range, in the east
- Ajabgarh Group – Kumbhalgarh Group with argillaceousrocks
- Raialo Group with mafic volcanic and calcareous rocks
- Alwar Group with arenaceous and mafic volcanic rocks
Human history
The Aravalli Range has been site of three broad stages of human history, early Stone Age saw the use of flint stones; mid-Stone Age starting from 20,000 BP saw the domestication of cattle for agriculture; and post Stone Age starting from 10,000 BP saw the development of the Kalibangan civilization, 4,000 years old Aahar civilization and 2,800 years old Gneshwar civilization.
Tosham hills Indus civilization mines
The
Investigation of IVC network of mineral ore needs for the 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 thin
Ravindra Nath Singh and his team of
Ganeshwar sunari Cultural Complex
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 of
Ahar-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 ..."[29]
Pottery found in the area include incised ware, and reserved slipware.
There are two main
Environment
Climate
The Northern Aravalli range in Delhi and Haryana has humid subtropical climate and hot semi-arid continental climate with very hot summers and relatively cool winters.[30] The main characteristics of climate in Hisar are dryness, extremes of temperature, and scanty rainfall.[31] 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.[32]
The Central Aravalli range in Rajasthan has an arid and dry climate.
The Southern Aravalli range in
Rivers
Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries of Yamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into the Rann of Kutch.
- North-to-south flowing rivers originate from the western slopes of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan, pass through the southeastern portion of the Thar Desert, and end into Gujarat.
- Indus Valley civilisation sites including Lothal.
- Sakhi River, ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch.
- Udaipur District, end into the Gulf of Khambhat of the Arabian Sea.
- West to north-west flowing rivers originate from the western slopes of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan, flow through semi-arid historical Indus Valley civilisation culture,[33]have been found along the banks of these rivers.
- Manoharpur in Sikar district flows through Haryana and meets its confluence with the Yamuna in Delhi where it is called Najafgarh drain, along with its following tributaries:[34][35][36][37] Masani barrage, is an important wildlife area.
- Dohan river, tributary of the Sahibi River, originates near Neem Ka Thana in Sikar district).
- Sota River, tributary of the Sahibi River with which it merges at Behror in Alwar district.
- Krishnavati river, former tributary of Sahibi river, originates near Dariba copper mines in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, flows through Patan in Dausa district and Mothooka in Alwar district, then disappears in Mahendragarh district in Haryana much before reaching Sahibi River. It previously was a tributary to the Sahibi and part of its present canalised channel is called the Outfall Drain No. 8. Many important wetlands lie in its paleochannel, including Matanhail, Chhuchhakwas-Godhari, Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarbashirpur, Sultanpur National Park, Basai and The Lost Lake (Gurugram).
- West to north-east flowing rivers, originating from the eastern slopes of Aravalli range in Rajasthan, flow northwards to Yamuna.
- Chambal River, a southern-side tributary of Yamuna River.
- Banas River, a northern-side tributary of Chambal River.
- Udaipur District.
- Ahar River, a right-side (or eastern side) tributary of the Berach river, originates in the hills of Udaipur District, flows through Udaipur city forming the famous Lake Pichola.
- Wagli River, a right-side tributary of the Berach River.
- Wagon River, a right-side tributary of the Berach River.
- Gambhiri River, a right-side tributary of the Berach River.
- Orai River, a right-side tributary of the Berach River.
- Banas River, a northern-side tributary of Chambal River.
- Chambal River, a southern-side tributary of Yamuna River.
Ecology
Wildlife corridors
The Great Green wall of India
"The Great Green Wall of Aravalli" is a 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi, it will be connected to Shivalik 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 the Great Green Wall of Sahara in Africa, it will act as a buffer against pollution, 51% of which is caused by the industrial pollution, 27% by vehicles, 8% by crop burning and 5% by diwali fireworks.[38]
Northern Aravalli leopard and wildlife corridor
The Sariska-Delhi leopard wildlife corridor or the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor is a 200 km long important biodiversity and wildlife corridor which runs from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge.[39]
This corridor is an important habitat for the Indian leopards and jackals of Aravalli. In January 2019, the Wildlife 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 the radio 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 22
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 the Government of Haryana which in 2019 passed the amendment to the Punjab 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 the Supreme Court of India as well as "NCR Planning Board" (NCRPB) notification which states the original 122,113.30 hectares ecologically sensitive forest of South 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 as Badkhal lake, Suraj Kund and Damdama in Haryana sub-region".[46] This area as part of Northern Aravalli leopard and wildlife corridor is an important habitat for the leopards in Haryana.
Southern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor
This corridor runs from Sariska and Ranthmbor to Rann of Kutch National Park and Gir National Park in Gujarat.
Nature reserves
The following national parks, wildlife reserves, and forests lie in the Aravalli Range.
- Delhi Ridge
- Northern ridge biodiversity park, 87 hectares approximately near Delhi University
- Yamuna biodiversity park
- Neela Hauz biodiversity park, next to Sanjay Van
- Sanjay Van
- Sanjay Lake
- Aravalli Biodiversity Park
- Tilpath valley biodiversity park, 70 hectares approximately near Sainik Farm
- Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
- Haryana
- Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon
- Madhogarh biodiversity park forest
- Nuh Aravalli biodiversity park forest
- Satnali biodiversity park forest
- Tosham hills rangebiodiversity park
- Masani barrage wildlife area.
- Matanhail wildlife area
- Chhuchhakwas-Godhari wetland
- Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sarbashirpur
- Sultanpur National Park
- Basai
- Bandhwari forest
- Mangar Bani forest
- The Lost Lake (Gurugram)
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
Flora
The Aravalli Range has several forests with a diversity of environment.[47]
Fauna
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) of
Concerns
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, the Supreme Court extended the ban on mining in an area of 448 km2 across the Faridabad, Gurgaon and Mewat districts in Haryana, 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]
Economy
The Aravali Range is the source area of many rivers, resulting in development of human settlements with sustainable economy since pre-historic times. The
Tourism
The Aravalli Range is the home of forests, wildlife, protected areas, UNESCO heritage listed forts, rivers, and historical monuments which sustain a large tourism industry.
Concerns
Gallery
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The Aravali Range insideRanthambhore National Park, in Rajasthan.
-
Sunset from the sunset point of Mount Abu
See also
- Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary – Wildlife sanctuary near Delhi, India, Delhi
- Aravali Biodiversity Park – Biodiversity Park at Gurgaon
- Arid Forest Research Institute – Indian forest research institute
- Hill Forts of Rajasthan – UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern India
- Pinangwan – human settlement in India
References
- ^ "Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon". Archived from the original on 28 May 2012.
- ISBN 978-81-7387-135-1
- ISBN 978-0-85229-760-5.
- S2CID 129382615.
- ISSN 0166-2635.
- ^ "International Mountain Day: India has the oldest and the youngest mountains in the world". India Today. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Aravalli Hills Are the Oldest Fold Mountains of the World". www.campwilddhauj.in. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ George Smith (1882). The Geography of British India, Political & Physical. J. Murray. p. 23.
- ^ "Aravali Range". Britannica.com.
- ^ Roy, A. B. (1990). Evolution of the Precambrian crust of the Aravalli Range. Developments in Precambrian Geology, 8, 327–347.
- ^ Mishra, D.C.; Kumar, M. Ravi. Proterozoic orogenic belts and rifting of Indian cratons: Geophysical constraints. Geoscience Frontiers. 2013 March. 5: 25–41.
- S2CID 129382615
- ISBN 978-0-415-46959-3.
- ISBN 978-1-4051-0777-8.
- ^ M. Deb and Wayne David Goodfellow, 2004, "Sediment Hosted Lead-Zinc Sulphide Deposits", Narosa Publishing, pp 260.
- ^ Naveed Qamar, "Indian shield rocks" Archived 20 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine.
- ISBN 978-1842650011
- ^ Shrivastva, R. (1999). Mining of copper in ancient India. Indian Journal of History of Science, 34, 173–180
- ISBN 1576079074p77
- ^ a b Cratons of India.
- ^ Cratons of India, lyellcollection.org.
- ^ National Geological Monuments. Geological Survey of India, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata,700016. 2001. pp. 65–67. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
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- ISBN 0-8263-4022-9.
- OCLC 302421826.
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- ^ Uzma Z. Rizvi (2010) Indices of Interaction: Comparisons between the Ahar-Banas and Ganeshwar Jodhpura Cultural Complex Archived 9 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine, in EASAA 2007: Special Session on Gilund Excavations, edited by T. Raczek and V. Shinde, pp. 51–61. British Archaeological Reports: ArchaeoPress
- ^ "Climate of Hisar". PPU. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ "Climate of Hisar". District Administration, Hisar. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ "More snowfall in Himachal". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
- ^ Gupta, S.P., ed. (1995), The 'Lost' Sarasvati and the Indus Civilization, Jodhpur: Kusumanjali Prakashan
- ISBN 0391023586
- ^ Sahibi river
- ^ Google Books: Page 41, 42, 43, 44, 47 (b) Sahibi Nadi (River), River Pollution, By A.k.jain
- ISBN 812460049X.
- ^ Want govt to build 1600 km green wall along Aravalli, Indian Express, 24 December 2019.
- ^ Haryana Government moots buffer zone to save Asola sanctuary, Times of India, 30 January 2019.
- ^ Death, proof of leopard life in Asola sanctuary, Hindustan Times, 31 January 2019.
- ^ 10-month-old leopard found dead on Gurugram-Faridabad Expressway, India Today, 31 January 2019.
- ^ Leopard killed in accident on Gurugram-Faridabad road, Times of India, 30 January 2019.
- ^ a b Leopards keep away from Haryana side of Asola due to scarcity, Times of India, 1 February 2019.
- ^ Only 30 villagers turn up for impact study, Times of India, 2018.
- ^ NGT asks CPCB to test groundwater sample near Bandhwari plant, India Today, 1 August 2017.
- ^ Law changes bring Aravalli conservation to the fore, Hindustan Times, 22 December 2019.
- ^ a b Aravalis in Gurugram, Faridabad core area for leopards, finds survey, The Times of India, 17 June 2017
- ^ Traps set up in four villages of Farrukhnagar after leopard's presence confirmed by pug marks, Hindustan Times, 18 January 2019.
- ^ SC bans all mining activity in Aravali hills area of Haryana, 9 May 2009.
- ^ Mission Green: SC bans mining in Aravali hills Archived 8 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine Hindustan Times, 9 May 2009.
- ^ Rai and Kumar, Mapping of Mining Areas in Aravalli Hills in Gurgaon, Faridabad & Mewat Districts of Haryana Using Geo-Informatics Technology, International Journal of Remote Sensing & Geoscience, Volume 2, Issue 1, Jan. 2013
- ISBN 978-8176484183, Chapter 20
- ^ Jha, Bagis, TNN. 195-km super expressway to link Delhi, Jaipur, The Economic Times, 21 March 2017, Accessed on 20 June 2017.
- ^ Hridayesh Joshi (22 September 2020). "Why Illegal Mining in the Aravalli Hills Should Scare Delhi and Its Neighbours". The Wire.
- ^ "The disappearance of India's Aravali Hills". DW News. 25 July 2019.
Further reading
- Watershed Management in Aravali Foothills, by Gurmel Singh, S. S. Grewal, R. C. Kaushal. Published by Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, 1990.
External links
- Aravali Range Homepage India Environment Portal
- Rainfall