Aravali Range :

The term ‘Aravalli’ means ‘a line of peaks’. The Aravalli is a stretch of magnificent mountains running across the western states of India – Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. The range reaches out for about 800km across the 3 states running in the north-eastern direction, starting from Palanpur near Ahmedabad in Gujarat and extending up to The Raisina Hill in central New Delhi. The Aravalli Range also holds the record of being the oldest plateau range in India.

The mountains are believed to have incorporated conditions above snow-line and to have sported humongous and highly nutritious glaciers of high magnitude in the pre-historic age. This reputation is now backed by the number of rivers it has given rise to. The water sources of Aravalli include the Banas, Luni, Sahibi, Sakhi and Sabarmati Rivers. Since it has the possession of these ever-energetic rivers, the mountain range has evolved as one of the most prosperous stretches of hillocks in the course of time.

The Aravalli Range prevents the hot and hostile Thar Desert from extending into the Southern parts of India like the Deccan Plateau. In other words, it is said to have risen in the pre-cambrian era connecting the two varied landscapes of the ancient Indian Sub-continent – the Marwar segment of the northwest and the Bundelkhand of the southeast.

The hills are largely characterised by dry and semi-dry deciduous forests that habitat trees like Modad, Salai, Khair, Khakhara, Dhavada and Timru. Out of these, The Khakhara, also known as Palash, Tesu, Kesudo and Dhak in various places, is the most famous tree which is called as ‘Flame of The Forest’ for its prominent red flowers that bloom like flames in the winter. It also has some rocky ridges that stand secluded from the main stretch. Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, falling under the belt of Rajasthan is the highest peak in the Aravalli Mountains scaling a height of 5650 feet (1722 metres) above sea level.

The diverse floral species strewn around is an important feature among the major attractions of the uplands. It comprises of plants like the Khadaya (medicinal herb), Gugal, Amla and Moosli among others. It also plays habitat for a wide variety of animals ranging from blue bull, porcupine, sloth bear, striped hyena, fox, leopard, Indian pangolin, star tortoise and Indian civet to venomous and non-venomous reptiles. The aerial occupants of the mountains include adjutant stork, osprey, white backed vultures, black vultures, spoonbills and others.

These mountains are also known as the Old Fold Mountains as they have ceased from growing taller due to the upward thrust caused by the inertia of tectonic plates in the earth’s crust under them. Even though they are called as the Old Fold Mountains, The Aravalli Mountains stay afresh in enriching their atmosphere with a prosperous ambience.

Rivers :                                                             

• Three major rivers and their tributories flow from the Aravalli, namely Chambal and Sahibi rivers which are trubutories of Yamuna, as well as Loni river which flows into the Rann of Kutch.
• North-to-south flowing rivers, originate from the western slopes of Aravalli range in Rajasthan, pass through the southeastern portion of the Thar Desert, and end into Gujarat.
• Luni River, originates in the Pushkar valley near Ajmer, ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch. it use to be one of the channel of Saraswati river, as a result it is banks have several Indus Valley Civilisation sites including Lothal.
• Sakhi river, ends in the marshy lands of Rann of Kutch.
• Sabarmati River, originates on the western slopes of Aravalli range of the Udaipur District, end into the Gulf of Cambay of Arabian Sea.
• West to north-west flowing rivers, originate from the western slopes of Aravalli range in Rajasthan, flow through semi-arid historical Shekhawati region, drain into southern Haryana. Several Ochre Coloured Pottery culture sites, also identified as late Harappan phase of Indus Valley Civilisation culture, has been found along the banks of these rivers.
• Sahibi River, originates near Manoharpur in Sikar district flows through Haryana and confluences with Yamuna in DElhi where it is called Najafgarh drain, along with its following tributaries: Masani barrage, is an important wildlife area.
• Dohan river, tributary of Sahibi river, originates near Neem Ka Thana in Sikar district).
• Sota River, tributary of Sahibi river, merges with Sahibi river 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 use to confluence with 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.
• Berach River, a southern-side tributary of Banas River, originates in the hills of 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.

Aravali range is the home of several forests, wildlife and protected areas, UNESCO heritage listed forts, hundreds of rivers and ancient history to sustain a large tourism industry. But damage to the environment and ecology from the unorganised urbanisation, overexploitation of the natural resources including water and minerals, mining, untreated human waste and disposal, pollution, loss of forest cover and wildlife habitat, unprotected status of most of the Aravalli and the lack of an integrated Aravalli management agency are the major causes of concern.