About Aravalli Range:
- The Aravalli Range, estimated to be around 670 million years old, predates the Himalayan Range, making it one of the oldest fold mountains on Earth.
- It is the oldest mountain range in India.
- It stretches over approximately 692 kilometres (430 miles) in a northeastern direction.
- It traverses the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana before culminating in
- It is characterised by rugged hills, rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation, and it plays a crucial role in the region's ecology and hydrology.
- Formation:
- The Aravalli Range was formed during the Proterozoic Eon through a process of orogeny, or mountain-building, that occurred as a result of tectonic activity in the Indian subcontinent.
- The range consists of a series of ridges and hills, formed through a combination of volcanic and sedimentary rock formations.
- The range is composed primarily of metamorphic rock, with granite, gneiss, and schist being the most common types of rock found in the region.
- The Aravalli Range has undergone significant erosion over millions of years, with its current landscape shaped by the forces of weathering and water.
- The Aravallis serve as a natural barrier against desertification and help regulate the climate, support diverse ecosystems and act as a watershed for several rivers, including the Sabarmati, Luni and Banas (tributary of Yamuna).
- The Guru Shikhar, located in Mount Abu, is the tallest point in the Aravalli range, rising to an elevation of 1,722 metres.
- The peak is named Guru Shikhar, or “peak of the guru,” after Dattatreya, an incarnation of Vishnu.
- Dilwara is the second highest peak in Rajasthan, and like Guru Shikhar, is located in Mount Abu.
- Dilwara is renowned for the Dilwara Temples, which were built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The Dilwara temples consist of 5 temples of the Jain faith.
- Aravallis is divided into two sections: the Sambhar-Sirohi ranges, taller and including Guru Shikhar; and the Sambhar-Khetri ranges, consisting of three ridges that are discontinuous.
- Some of the notable waterfalls in the region include the Bhimlat Falls, the Kumbhalgarh Falls, and the Chitrakoot Falls.
- The range is also home to several lakes, including the Sambhar Lake, the Nakki Lake, and the Ana Sagar Lake.
- It is known for its rich fossil deposits. Fossils of trilobites, brachiopods, and other marine organisms have been found in the rocks of the Aravalli Range, providing evidence of the region’s ancient seabeds.
- The range is rich in mineral resources like copper, zinc, lead, and marble.
Aravalli Green Wall Project:
- The project is a major initiative to green the 5 km buffer area around Aravalli Hill.
- It is part of the Union Environment Ministry's vision to create green corridors across the country to combat land degradation and desertification.
- The project covers the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi - where the Aravalli Hills landscape spans over 6 million hectares of land.
- The project will involve planting native species of trees and shrubs on scrubland, wasteland, and degraded forest land, along with rejuvenating and restoring surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and streams.
- The project will also focus on agroforestry and pasture development to enhance the livelihoods of local communities.
