Aravalli Range

Coordinates: 25°00′N 73°30′E / 25°N 73.5°E / 25; 73.5
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Aravalli Range
The Aravali Range in Rajasthan
Highest point
PeakGuru Shikhar, Mount Abu
Elevation1,722 m (5,650 ft)
Coordinates24°35′33″N 74°42′30″E / 24.59250°N 74.70833°E / 24.59250; 74.70833
Dimensions
Length670 km (420 mi)
Naming
PronunciationHindi pronunciation: [əɾaːʋ(ə)li]
Geography
Topographic map of India showing the range
CountryIndia
States
Aravalli-Delhi Orogen
Age of rockPrecambrian
Type of rockFold mountains from plate tectonics

The Aravalli Range (also spelled Aravali) is a mountain range in

Western India, running approximately 670 km (420 mi) in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana,[1] Rajasthan, and ending in Ahmedabad Gujarat.[2][3] The highest peak is Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu at 1,722 m (5,650 ft). The Aravalli Range is arguably the oldest geological feature on Earth,[4][5][6][7] having its origin in the Proterozoic
era.

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

Map of prominent mountain ranges in India, showing Aravalli in north-west India

The Aravalli Range, an eroded stub of ancient mountains, is believed to be the oldest range of

Bundelkand 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 continental lithosphere
that have remained relatively undeformed during the cycles of merging and rifting of continents.

Volcanic arc and geological process of undersea subduction during tectonic collusion
Global convergent boundary of plate margins

It consists of two main

Ga ago. It started as an inverted basin, that rifted and pulled apart into granitoid basement, initially during Aravalli passive rifting around 2.5 to 2.0 Ga years ago and then during Delhi active rifting around 1.9 to 1.6 Ga years ago. It started with rifting of a rigid Archaean continent banded gneissic complex around 2.2 Ga with the coexisting formation of the Bhilwara aulacogen 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 a passive 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 by accretion of the Delhi island arc (a type of archipelago composed of an arc-shaped chain of volcanoes closely situated parallel to a convergent boundary between two converging tectonic plates) from the west around 1.5 Ga. This tectonic plates collision event involved early thrusting with partial obduction (overthrusting of oceanic lithosphere onto continental lithosphere at a convergent plate boundary) of the oceanic crust along the Rakhabdev lineament, flattening and eventual wrenching (also called strike-slip plate fault, sideways horizontal movement of colliding plates with no vertical motion) parallel to the collision zone. Associated mafic igneous rocks show both continental and oceanic tholeiitic geochemistry (magnesium and iron-rich igneous rocks) from phanerozoic eon (541–0 million) with rift-related magmatic rock formations.[12]

The Aravalli-Delhi Orogen is an

Minerals

The

plutons (crystallised solidified magma). This includes commercially viable quantities of minerals, such as rock phosphate, lead-zinc-silver mineral deposits at Zawar, Rikahbdev serpentinite, talc, pyrophyllite, asbestos, apatite, kyanite and beryl.[15][16]

Mining

Mining of copper and other metals in the Aravalli range dates back to at least the 5th century BCE, based on

carbon dating.[17][18] Recent research indicates that copper was already mined here during the Sothi-Siswal period going back to c. 4000 BCE. Ancient Kalibangan and Kunal, Haryana settlements obtained copper here.[19]

Geographical features

The Aravalli Range, seen from the range's highest point at Guru Shikhar, in Rajasthan.

The

National Geological Monument.[22]

Tectonic-stratigraphic evolution

Tectonic-stratigraphic evolution of the Aravalli Range:[20]

Stratigraphic classification

The stratigraphic classification of the Aravalli Range can be divided into the following parts (north to south direction):

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

Indus Valley civilization 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.[24][25]

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

haematite and quartz filled fractures with sugary size grain texture.[26][27]

Ravindra Nath Singh and his team of

early to mature Harappan phase IVC materials, pottery, semiprecious beads of lapis lazuli, carnelian and others. They also found evidence of metallurgical activities, such as crucibles (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) and transmission 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 mined polymetallic tin, and they were also familiar with metallurgical work with copper and bronze. The lowest level of site dates back as far the pre-Harappan era to Sothi-Siswal culture (4600 BCE or 6600 BP) tentatively.[28]

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

Jaipur District
(Geo coordinates: N 27° 35' 51", 76° 06' 85" E).

Environment

A lake nested within Aravali Hills.
Aravali Hills near Pushkar.

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

tropical wet and dry climate

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.

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

Charging Indian leopard.

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

ephemeral 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 pit perennial 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 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

Firoz Shah Tughlaq
in 1356.

The following national parks, wildlife reserves, and forests lie in the Aravalli Range.

Flora

The Aravalli Range has several forests with a diversity of environment.[47]

Fauna

Ranthambore National Park, in Rajasthan.

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

which?] (7 sightings), wild pig (14 sightings), rhesus macaque (55 sightings), peafowl (57 sightings) and Indian 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 as Delhi South Ridge (Faridabad-Gurugram) to Farrukhnagar 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]

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

Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, all run parallel to the length of the Aravalli Range providing an economic boost.[53]

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

wildlife habitat, unprotected status of most of the Aravalli and the lack of an integrated Aravalli management agency are the major causes of concern.[54][55]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon". Archived from the original on 28 May 2012.
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  5. ^ "International Mountain Day: India has the oldest and the youngest mountains in the world". India Today. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Aravalli Hills Are the Oldest Fold Mountains of the World". www.campwilddhauj.in. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  7. ^ George Smith (1882). The Geography of British India, Political & Physical. J. Murray. p. 23.
  8. ^ "Aravali Range". Britannica.com.
  9. ^ Roy, A. B. (1990). Evolution of the Precambrian crust of the Aravalli Range. Developments in Precambrian Geology, 8, 327–347.
  10. ^ Mishra, D.C.; Kumar, M. Ravi. Proterozoic orogenic belts and rifting of Indian cratons: Geophysical constraints. Geoscience Frontiers. 2013 March. 5: 25–41.
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  14. ^ M. Deb and Wayne David Goodfellow, 2004, "Sediment Hosted Lead-Zinc Sulphide Deposits", Narosa Publishing, pp 260.
  15. ^ Naveed Qamar, "Indian shield rocks" Archived 20 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ^ Shrivastva, R. (1999). Mining of copper in ancient India. Indian Journal of History of Science, 34, 173–180
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  18. ^ a b Cratons of India.
  19. ^ Cratons of India, lyellcollection.org.
  20. ^ National Geological Monuments. Geological Survey of India, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata,700016. 2001. pp. 65–67. Retrieved 23 March 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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  26. ^ 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
  27. ^ "Climate of Hisar". PPU. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  28. ^ "Climate of Hisar". District Administration, Hisar. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  29. ^ "More snowfall in Himachal". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  30. ^ Gupta, S.P., ed. (1995), The 'Lost' Sarasvati and the Indus Civilization, Jodhpur: Kusumanjali Prakashan
  31. ^ Sahibi river
  32. ^ Google Books: Page 41, 42, 43, 44, 47 (b) Sahibi Nadi (River), River Pollution, By A.k.jain
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  34. ^ Want govt to build 1600 km green wall along Aravalli, Indian Express, 24 December 2019.
  35. ^ Haryana Government moots buffer zone to save Asola sanctuary, Times of India, 30 January 2019.
  36. ^ Death, proof of leopard life in Asola sanctuary, Hindustan Times, 31 January 2019.
  37. ^ 10-month-old leopard found dead on Gurugram-Faridabad Expressway, India Today, 31 January 2019.
  38. ^ Leopard killed in accident on Gurugram-Faridabad road, Times of India, 30 January 2019.
  39. ^ a b Leopards keep away from Haryana side of Asola due to scarcity, Times of India, 1 February 2019.
  40. ^ Only 30 villagers turn up for impact study, Times of India, 2018.
  41. ^ NGT asks CPCB to test groundwater sample near Bandhwari plant, India Today, 1 August 2017.
  42. ^ Law changes bring Aravalli conservation to the fore, Hindustan Times, 22 December 2019.
  43. ^ a b Aravalis in Gurugram, Faridabad core area for leopards, finds survey, The Times of India, 17 June 2017
  44. ^ Traps set up in four villages of Farrukhnagar after leopard's presence confirmed by pug marks, Hindustan Times, 18 January 2019.
  45. ^ SC bans all mining activity in Aravali hills area of Haryana, 9 May 2009.
  46. ^ Mission Green: SC bans mining in Aravali hills Archived 8 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine Hindustan Times, 9 May 2009.
  47. ^ 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
  48. , Chapter 20
  49. ^ Jha, Bagis, TNN. 195-km super expressway to link Delhi, Jaipur, The Economic Times, 21 March 2017, Accessed on 20 June 2017.
  50. ^ Hridayesh Joshi (22 September 2020). "Why Illegal Mining in the Aravalli Hills Should Scare Delhi and Its Neighbours". The Wire.
  51. ^ "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