Aravalli : Story of a dying mountain range

The Aravalli mountain range is one of the oldest in the world. It extends across more than 693 kilometers from Champaner in Gujarat all the way to Delhi, through Rajasthan and Haryana. 

The Aravallis, with its vast landscape and biological diversity, have shaped the northern landscape of India in more ways than one. They guide the monsoon clouds and also act as a groundwater recharge zone — making them important for the long-term ecological security of the cities.

The Aravallis also help in preventing long-term desertification. They act as a barrier against the wind, carrying sand from Thar desert and prevent it from entering into the Delhi NCR region.

But despite all this, the mountain range is under severe threat from mining and large-scale real estate developments. The degradation of the Aravallis has lead to decline in habitat wildlife, adding to the animal-human conflict in nearby areas.

Also the rainfall has been drastically reduced and groundwater recharge has been affected subsequently. It has also had an impact on people and their lifestyle — with mining, the dependency of people on forest has changed and they have started taking resources for granted.

In order to save the mountain range, the lack of concern from authorities has to change and constant intervention of the judicial system is needed. If not, the destruction of the mountain range is going to unleash catastrophic consequences.

Subscribe to Daily Newsletter :

SUPPORT US

We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.