{"id":79402,"date":"2026-02-04T13:04:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T07:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=79402"},"modified":"2026-02-06T12:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T06:47:30","slug":"aravalli-range","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/aravalli-range\/","title":{"rendered":"Aravalli Range, Map, Location, Geology, Minerals, Drainage"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Why Aravalli Range in News?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In November 2025, the Supreme Court of India defined Aravalli Hills as elevations 100 meters or higher above the local ground, raising concerns that this could weaken legal protections<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>About Aravalli Range\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Aravalli Range, also called the Aravali Hills, is among the oldest surviving mountain systems on Earth and forms a major physiographic division of north-western India. Although heavily eroded over geological time, the range continues to exert a strong influence on climate, drainage, mineral resources, ecology, and human settlement patterns across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and adjoining regions.<\/span><\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Aravalli-Range-Map.webp\" alt=\"Aravalli Range Map\" title=\"Aravalli Range Map\" class=\"my-image my-image-size-full my-image-align-none\" style=\"width: auto; height: 659px;\" \/>\n<h2><b>Supreme Court Definition and Guidelines for Aravalli Range<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Aravalli Hills Definition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Any landform rising <\/span><b>100 metres or more above the surrounding local terrain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Local relief is measured using the <\/span><b>lowest contour line encircling the hill<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Protection applies to the entire hill system, including <\/span><b>supporting slopes and associated landforms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, regardless of height.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Aravalli Ranges Definition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Clusters of <\/span><b>two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The <\/span><b>entire intervening area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including slopes and smaller hillocks, is considered part of the range.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>SC Directions on Mining:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Temporary ban<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on issuing <\/span><b>new mining leases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in areas falling under the Aravalli definition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Existing legal mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allowed but under <\/span><b>strict regulation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ban remains until a <\/span><b>Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is prepared by the <\/span><b>Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Requirements for the Management Plan (MPSM):<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify <\/span><b>no-mining zones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>strictly regulated mining areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Map <\/span><b>sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess <\/span><b>cumulative ecological impacts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>carrying capacity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescribe <\/span><b>restoration and rehabilitation measures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for mined areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>SC Observations:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognized that <\/span><b>blanket bans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can fuel <\/span><b>illegal mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adopted a <\/span><b>calibrated approach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> combining <\/span><b>temporary pause on new mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>regulated continuation of existing legal mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>permanent protection of ecologically sensitive areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Location and Extent of the Aravalli Range<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Aravalli Range is located in north-western India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, forming one of the most prominent physiographic features of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The range extends in a <\/span><b>south-west to north-east orientation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is distinct from most other Indian mountain ranges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its northernmost extension begins near <\/span><b>Delhi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the hills appear as discontinuous ridges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Delhi, the range passes through <\/span><b>southern Haryana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, influencing the drainage and ecological conditions of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It then traverses through <\/span><b>central and southern Rajasthan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where it is most extensive and prominent in height and width.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Aravalli Range finally terminates near <\/span><b>Ahmedabad in Gujarat<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, gradually merging with the surrounding plains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Drainage System of the Aravalli Range<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Aravalli Range is a major watershed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with rivers from western slopes draining into inland basins\/<a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/arabian-sea\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Arabian Sea<\/strong><\/a> and eastern slopes feeding the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/yamuna-river-system\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Yamuna system<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Western-slope rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <\/span><b>Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarmati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> flow through arid regions, ending in marshes such as the <\/span><b>Rann of Kutch<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and host historical <\/span><b>Indus Valley sites<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Sahibi River and tributaries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Dohan, Sota, Krishnavati) flow northwest into <\/span><b>Yamuna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with paleochannels containing key wetlands like <\/span><b>Bhindawas and Sultanpur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eastern-slope rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <\/span><b>Chambal, Banas, and Berach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> drain northeast into the Yamuna, with tributaries such as <\/span><b>Ahar River<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> forming lakes like <\/span><b>Pichola<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The drainage system features seasonal flows, wide sandy channels, and paleochannels, supporting biodiversity, wetlands, and human settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ytb-video-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"ytb-video-inner\">\n            <iframe \n                src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pXLfgAR6D6I\" \n                width=\"560\" \n                height=\"315\" \n                frameborder=\"0\" \n                allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" \n                allowfullscreen>\n            <\/iframe>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<h2><b>Physical Characteristics of the Aravalli Range<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Composed of discontinuous ridges, hills, and residual mountains, forming a rugged terrain rather than a continuous chain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Width varies between 6 to 60 miles, with average elevations of 1,000\u20133,000 feet, and the highest peak Guru Shikhar at 5,650 feet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The range stretches 670 km in a south-west to north-east orientation, from Delhi to Ahmedabad (Gujarat).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Divides Rajasthan into two distinct regions:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North-western arid zone dominated by sand dunes and sparse vegetation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South-eastern fertile zone with better drainage and denser population.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Terrain features steep slopes, ridges, hillocks, and low plateaus, with local variations in relief contributing to diverse microclimates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acts as a climatic and hydrological barrier, influencing rainfall patterns and river courses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Geological Formation and Evolution<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formed during the <\/span><b>Proterozoic Era<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it <\/span><b>one of the oldest fold mountain systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part of the <\/span><b>Aravalli\u2013Delhi Orogenic Belt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and integral to the <\/span><b>Indian Shield<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, showcasing <\/span><b>ancient cratonic collisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initially consisted of <\/span><b>very high fold mountains<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which have been extensively <\/span><b>worn down by weathering, denudation, and erosion over millions of years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Displays <\/span><b>gneiss, schist, quartzite, and marble formations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, reflecting complex geological history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides crucial evidence of <\/span><b>ancient tectonic activity, plate movements, and early Earth processes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The landscape contains <\/span><b>paleochannels and river valleys<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, indicating former extensive drainage systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Mineral Resources of the Aravalli Range<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognized as one of <\/span><b>India\u2019s oldest mineral belts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with continuous mining since ancient times.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rich in economically important minerals:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Copper, zinc, and lead<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 mined historically and in modern times.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Marble and other building stones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 extensively used in construction and handicrafts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mining has contributed to <\/span><b>historical metallurgy, trade, and settlement development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current regulations emphasize <\/span><b>sustainable mining<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially in ecologically sensitive areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mineral-rich zones influence <\/span><b>regional industrial growth<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, employment, and economic planning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Ecological and Historical Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serves as a <\/span><b>natural barrier preventing the spread of the Thar Desert eastward<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, mitigating desertification.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supports <\/span><b>critical wetlands, lakes, and wildlife habitats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including bird sanctuaries and protected forests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Influences <\/span><b>river origin, groundwater recharge, and soil fertility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, crucial for agriculture and settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Holds <\/span><b>archaeological and historical importance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sites along Luni, Sahibi, and Krishnavati rivers linked to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indus-valley-civilization\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Indus Valley Civilisation<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture sites indicate <\/span><b>Late Harappan phase settlements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Aravalli ecosystem guides <\/span><b>land use, conservation, and sustainable development policies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides <\/span><b>scenic and tourism value<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with Mount Abu and Guru Shikhar being key hill-station and pilgrimage destinations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aravalli Range is one of the world\u2019s oldest mountain systems. Learn its location, geology, minerals, drainage and why the Supreme Court ruling put it in news.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":78487,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[689],"class_list":{"0":"post-79402","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-aravalli-range","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79402"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86313,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79402\/revisions\/86313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}