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2 minGeographical Feature
  1. होम
  2. /
  3. अवधारणाएं
  4. /
  5. Geographical Feature
  6. /
  7. Aravalli Hills (Geography & Ecology)
Geographical Feature

Aravalli Hills (Geography & Ecology)

Aravalli Hills (Geography & Ecology) क्या है?

The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, located in western India. It stretches for about 692 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, playing a critical role in the region's ecology, climate, and hydrology, often referred to as the 'lungs of Delhi'.

Aravalli Range: Ecological Significance & Threats

This map details the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical spread, key ecological zones, and areas facing significant environmental threats, crucial for understanding conservation efforts.

Geographic Context

Map Type: india_states

Key Regions:
HaryanaRajasthanDelhiGujarat
Legend:
High Threat/Critical Ecological Zone
Moderate Threat/Ecological Importance
Significant Biodiversity/Conservation Area

Aravalli Range: Key Ecological & Threat Metrics (As of 2025)

This dashboard presents critical statistics related to the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical features and the extent of environmental degradation it faces.

2 minGeographical Feature
  1. होम
  2. /
  3. अवधारणाएं
  4. /
  5. Geographical Feature
  6. /
  7. Aravalli Hills (Geography & Ecology)
Geographical Feature

Aravalli Hills (Geography & Ecology)

Aravalli Hills (Geography & Ecology) क्या है?

The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, located in western India. It stretches for about 692 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, playing a critical role in the region's ecology, climate, and hydrology, often referred to as the 'lungs of Delhi'.

Aravalli Range: Ecological Significance & Threats

This map details the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical spread, key ecological zones, and areas facing significant environmental threats, crucial for understanding conservation efforts.

Geographic Context

Map Type: india_states

Key Regions:
HaryanaRajasthanDelhiGujarat
Legend:
High Threat/Critical Ecological Zone
Moderate Threat/Ecological Importance
Significant Biodiversity/Conservation Area

Aravalli Range: Key Ecological & Threat Metrics (As of 2025)

This dashboard presents critical statistics related to the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical features and the extent of environmental degradation it faces.

Total Length
692 km

Stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, forming a crucial ecological spine.

Data: 2025
Highest Peak
1,722 meters

Guru Shikhar, located in Rajasthan, a significant biodiversity hotspot.

Data: 2025
Estimated Forest Cover Loss (since 1970s)Ongoing
~35%

Significant deforestation due to urbanization, mining, and agriculture, impacting biodiversity and water recharge. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports).

Data: 2024
Area Under Illegal Mining/Encroachment (Estimated Cumulative)Fluctuating
~12%

Despite judicial interventions, illegal activities persist, leading to habitat loss and ecological imbalance. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports and judicial observations).

Data: 2024
Groundwater Recharge Contribution
Critical

The Aravallis are vital for replenishing aquifers in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, directly impacting water security.

Data: 2025
Total Length
692 km

Stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, forming a crucial ecological spine.

Data: 2025
Highest Peak
1,722 meters

Guru Shikhar, located in Rajasthan, a significant biodiversity hotspot.

Data: 2025
Estimated Forest Cover Loss (since 1970s)Ongoing
~35%

Significant deforestation due to urbanization, mining, and agriculture, impacting biodiversity and water recharge. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports).

Data: 2024
Area Under Illegal Mining/Encroachment (Estimated Cumulative)Fluctuating
~12%

Despite judicial interventions, illegal activities persist, leading to habitat loss and ecological imbalance. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports and judicial observations).

Data: 2024
Groundwater Recharge Contribution
Critical

The Aravallis are vital for replenishing aquifers in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, directly impacting water security.

Data: 2025

ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि

Formed during the Proterozoic Eon (Precambrian era), making it one of the oldest geological features on Earth. Historically, it has been a source of minerals and a natural barrier. In modern times, it faces severe threats from urbanization, mining, and deforestation, leading to its degradation and necessitating judicial intervention for its protection.

मुख्य प्रावधान

9 points
  • 1.

    Geological Age: Formed during the Precambrian era, making it a relict mountain, characterized by highly eroded peaks.

  • 2.

    Extent: Stretches from Gujarat (near Palanpur) through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi (culminating in Raisina Hill).

  • 3.

    Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 meters) near Mount Abu, Rajasthan, which is also a significant pilgrimage site.

  • 4.

    Ecological Significance: Acts as a natural barrier against the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert, protecting the fertile plains to its east.

  • 5.

    Water Recharge: Crucial for groundwater recharge in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, feeding numerous rivers and aquifers.

  • 6.

    Biodiversity: Home to diverse flora and fauna, including several endemic species, and forms part of important wildlife corridors (e.g., Sariska Tiger Reserve, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary).

  • 7.

    Climate Regulator: Influences the monsoon patterns and acts as the 'lungs of Delhi' by providing green cover, moderating air quality, and reducing heat island effect.

  • 8.

    Threats: Faces severe threats from illegal mining, encroachment, deforestation, unchecked urbanization, and land-use changes.

  • 9.

    Conservation Efforts: Various government initiatives, judicial orders (like the current Supreme Court order), and civil society movements are focused on its protection and restoration.

दृश्य सामग्री

Aravalli Range: Ecological Significance & Threats

This map details the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical spread, key ecological zones, and areas facing significant environmental threats, crucial for understanding conservation efforts.

  • 📍Guru Shikhar, Rajasthan — Highest Peak (1,722m)
  • 📍Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan — Wildlife Corridor
  • 📍Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi/Haryana — NCR's Green Lung
  • 📍Delhi Ridge, Delhi — Northernmost Aravalli Extension
  • 📍Thar Desert Edge — Desertification Barrier

Aravalli Range: Key Ecological & Threat Metrics (As of 2025)

This dashboard presents critical statistics related to the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical features and the extent of environmental degradation it faces.

Total Length
692 km

Stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, forming a crucial ecological spine.

Highest Peak
1,722 meters

Guru Shikhar, located in Rajasthan, a significant biodiversity hotspot.

Estimated Forest Cover Loss (since 1970s)
~35%Ongoing

Significant deforestation due to urbanization, mining, and agriculture, impacting biodiversity and water recharge. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports).

Area Under Illegal Mining/Encroachment (Estimated Cumulative)
~12%Fluctuating

Despite judicial interventions, illegal activities persist, leading to habitat loss and ecological imbalance. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports and judicial observations).

Groundwater Recharge Contribution
Critical

The Aravallis are vital for replenishing aquifers in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, directly impacting water security.

संबंधित अवधारणाएं

Supreme Court of India (Environmental Jurisprudence)Constitutional Provisions for Environmental ProtectionJudicial Activism / Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

स्रोत विषय

Supreme Court Orders Strict Protection for Aravalli Hills, Bans Illegal Construction

Environment & Ecology

UPSC महत्व

Important for UPSC GS Paper 1 (Geography - Physical Geography, Indian Geography) and GS Paper 3 (Environment & Ecology - Biodiversity, Conservation, Environmental Degradation). Frequently asked in Prelims (location, features, significance, threats) and Mains (environmental challenges, conservation strategies, impact of human activities, role of judiciary). Essential for understanding regional ecology and environmental issues.

On This Page

DefinitionHistorical BackgroundKey PointsVisual InsightsRelated ConceptsUPSC RelevanceSource Topic

Source Topic

Supreme Court Orders Strict Protection for Aravalli Hills, Bans Illegal ConstructionEnvironment & Ecology

Related Concepts

Supreme Court of India (Environmental Jurisprudence)Constitutional Provisions for Environmental ProtectionJudicial Activism / Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि

Formed during the Proterozoic Eon (Precambrian era), making it one of the oldest geological features on Earth. Historically, it has been a source of minerals and a natural barrier. In modern times, it faces severe threats from urbanization, mining, and deforestation, leading to its degradation and necessitating judicial intervention for its protection.

मुख्य प्रावधान

9 points
  • 1.

    Geological Age: Formed during the Precambrian era, making it a relict mountain, characterized by highly eroded peaks.

  • 2.

    Extent: Stretches from Gujarat (near Palanpur) through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi (culminating in Raisina Hill).

  • 3.

    Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 meters) near Mount Abu, Rajasthan, which is also a significant pilgrimage site.

  • 4.

    Ecological Significance: Acts as a natural barrier against the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert, protecting the fertile plains to its east.

  • 5.

    Water Recharge: Crucial for groundwater recharge in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, feeding numerous rivers and aquifers.

  • 6.

    Biodiversity: Home to diverse flora and fauna, including several endemic species, and forms part of important wildlife corridors (e.g., Sariska Tiger Reserve, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary).

  • 7.

    Climate Regulator: Influences the monsoon patterns and acts as the 'lungs of Delhi' by providing green cover, moderating air quality, and reducing heat island effect.

  • 8.

    Threats: Faces severe threats from illegal mining, encroachment, deforestation, unchecked urbanization, and land-use changes.

  • 9.

    Conservation Efforts: Various government initiatives, judicial orders (like the current Supreme Court order), and civil society movements are focused on its protection and restoration.

दृश्य सामग्री

Aravalli Range: Ecological Significance & Threats

This map details the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical spread, key ecological zones, and areas facing significant environmental threats, crucial for understanding conservation efforts.

  • 📍Guru Shikhar, Rajasthan — Highest Peak (1,722m)
  • 📍Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan — Wildlife Corridor
  • 📍Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi/Haryana — NCR's Green Lung
  • 📍Delhi Ridge, Delhi — Northernmost Aravalli Extension
  • 📍Thar Desert Edge — Desertification Barrier

Aravalli Range: Key Ecological & Threat Metrics (As of 2025)

This dashboard presents critical statistics related to the Aravalli Range, highlighting its geographical features and the extent of environmental degradation it faces.

Total Length
692 km

Stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, forming a crucial ecological spine.

Highest Peak
1,722 meters

Guru Shikhar, located in Rajasthan, a significant biodiversity hotspot.

Estimated Forest Cover Loss (since 1970s)
~35%Ongoing

Significant deforestation due to urbanization, mining, and agriculture, impacting biodiversity and water recharge. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports).

Area Under Illegal Mining/Encroachment (Estimated Cumulative)
~12%Fluctuating

Despite judicial interventions, illegal activities persist, leading to habitat loss and ecological imbalance. (Illustrative estimate based on various reports and judicial observations).

Groundwater Recharge Contribution
Critical

The Aravallis are vital for replenishing aquifers in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, directly impacting water security.

संबंधित अवधारणाएं

Supreme Court of India (Environmental Jurisprudence)Constitutional Provisions for Environmental ProtectionJudicial Activism / Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

स्रोत विषय

Supreme Court Orders Strict Protection for Aravalli Hills, Bans Illegal Construction

Environment & Ecology

UPSC महत्व

Important for UPSC GS Paper 1 (Geography - Physical Geography, Indian Geography) and GS Paper 3 (Environment & Ecology - Biodiversity, Conservation, Environmental Degradation). Frequently asked in Prelims (location, features, significance, threats) and Mains (environmental challenges, conservation strategies, impact of human activities, role of judiciary). Essential for understanding regional ecology and environmental issues.

On This Page

DefinitionHistorical BackgroundKey PointsVisual InsightsRelated ConceptsUPSC RelevanceSource Topic

Source Topic

Supreme Court Orders Strict Protection for Aravalli Hills, Bans Illegal ConstructionEnvironment & Ecology

Related Concepts

Supreme Court of India (Environmental Jurisprudence)Constitutional Provisions for Environmental ProtectionJudicial Activism / Public Interest Litigation (PIL)