The Aravalli Hills are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, traversing through regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. Their importance lies not only in their geological age but also in their ecological and climatic roles. These hills serve as a natural barrier against desertification, support diverse ecosystems, recharge groundwater, and regulate the local climate.
A recent proposal has introduced a new benchmark for identifying the Aravalli Hills. This new criterion recommends measuring elevation based on a 100-metre rise from the local terrain profile, rather than from a uniform state-level baseline. This shift aims to enhance the precision in identifying hill features.
Previously, the identification of the Aravalli Hills relied on the 3-degree slope criterion set by the Forest Survey of India. This method focused on landforms above a minimum elevation at the state level. The new approach, however, emphasizes the immediate surroundings of landforms, enhancing local relevance in classification.
The government has proposed this change to eliminate ambiguity in land classification, provide clarity in identifying hill features, and address ongoing disputes regarding mining permissions and land-use regulations. This clarity is essential for effective governance and environmental protection.
Experts have raised concerns that using local relief as a criterion may overlook vast areas of low-slope or plateau-like terrain within the Aravalli Hills. These regions, although flat, are geologically significant and contribute to the overall ecological health of the mountain range. Excluding them could undermine landscape-level ecological conservation.
Under the revised definition, areas that do not meet the new criteria may lose essential regulatory protections. This could lead to increased vulnerability to mining, real estate development, and infrastructure projects, potentially harming the fragile ecosystems of the Aravalli Hills.
The ecological impacts of such exclusions could be severe. Possible outcomes include disruption of wildlife corridors, heightened soil erosion, diminished groundwater recharge, and an increased risk of desertification in north-west India.
The Aravalli Hills are sensitive from a geomorphological standpoint due to their ancient origins. They have undergone significant erosion and fragmentation over time. Many sections exhibit gentle slopes yet retain ecological importance, making exclusion based solely on slope measurements problematic.
Environmental advocates express that narrowly redefining hill features may weaken legal protections without altering the ecological realities on the ground. This could facilitate activities that further degrade the delicate landscapes of the Aravalli Hills.
This ongoing discourse highlights the tension between development-oriented land use and geomorphological continuity. It raises critical questions about how physical geography should inform sustainable environmental governance. Good governance, after all, begins with respecting nature, as civil servants have a responsibility to safeguard resources for future generations.
Q1. What are the Aravalli Hills and why are they important?
Answer: The Aravalli Hills are among the oldest fold mountain systems, crucial for preventing desertification, supporting biodiversity, aiding groundwater recharge, and regulating climate.
Q2. What is the new definition proposed for the Aravalli Hills?
Answer: The new benchmark suggests identifying the Aravalli hills based on a 100-metre elevation from the local terrain profile instead of a state-level baseline.
Q3. How does the new method differ from the previous one?
Answer: The earlier method used a 3-degree slope criterion from the Forest Survey of India, while the new approach considers the immediate surroundings of landforms.
Q4. Why has the government proposed this change?
Answer: The change aims to clarify hill feature identification, reduce ambiguity in land classification, and resolve disputes related to mining permissions and land use.
Q5. What geographical concerns arise from the new benchmark?
Answer: Experts warn that using local relief might exclude low-slope terrains, which are geologically integral, potentially compromising ecological conservation efforts.
Question 1: What is the primary function of the Aravalli Hills in India?
A) Support desertification
B) Regulate regional climate
C) Promote urban development
D) Enhance mineral extraction
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What new criterion is proposed for identifying the Aravalli Hills?
A) 50-metre elevation
B) 3-degree slope
C) 100-metre elevation from local terrain
D) Uniform elevation across the state
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What was the previous method of identifying the Aravalli Hills based on?
A) Local terrain profile
B) Forest Survey of India’s 3-degree slope criterion
C) National elevation standards
D) Geographical surveys from 1980s
Correct Answer: B
Kutos : AI Assistant!
