Aravalli Range
Geography and Ecological Significance
The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, running northeasterly for approximately 650 km through the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. Formed during the Proterozoic Era (over 1.5 billion years ago), the range has been reduced by aeons of weathering from a Himalayan-scale mountain system to a heavily eroded series of ridges and peaks, with elevations generally between 300 and 900 metres. Guru Shikhar in Rajasthan (1,722 m) is the highest point.
- The range spans Gujarat (south), Rajasthan (central and largest section), Haryana, and Delhi (northern tail).
- Width varies from 10 to 100 km; the range acts as a continental divide separating the drainage systems flowing to the Arabian Sea (Luni, Sabarmati) and the Bay of Bengal (Banas, Chambal tributaries).
- Ecological functions: barrier against Thar Desert expansion, recharge zone for regional aquifers, moisture corridor for the southwest monsoon, and habitat for species including leopard, Indian wolf, striped hyena, Bengal fox, and caracal.
- Protected areas within the range include Sariska Tiger Reserve, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (Delhi).
- Key rivers originating in the Aravallis: Banas, Luni, Sakhi, Sabarmati — all critical for western India's water supply.
● Tracked since February 13, 2026 · last seen May 31, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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