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Context

The Aravali Safari Park project in Haryana faces opposition due to environmental concerns, groundwater depletion, and legal protection of the Aravali hills.

About Aravalli

• It is located in the North-Western part of India.
• It stretches over from Raisina Hills in New Delhi to Khedbrahma and Palanpur in Gujarat,in a south-west direction, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat. Overall, it stretches over Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujrat, Haryana.
• It is characterized by rugged topography with rocky & hilly landscape.
• Two, main ranges – the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan,
• It is one of the world’s oldest fold mountain of the world.
• Length is around 670 km. Average elevation is 600-900 meters.
• Major rivers such as Banas, Sahibi, Luni, Chambal, Sabarmati etc flowing from Aravalli.
• Highest peak is Guru Shikhar peak on Mount Abu.
• Rich in minerals such as copper, zinc.

Significance of Aravalli

• It serves as a barrier to prevent desertification. They act as a barrier against Thar desert expansion.
• The rivers flowing from Aravalli help in ground water recharge.
• It regulates climate & tackle pollution.

Challenges

• Deforestation
• Illegal mining
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Unplanned urbanization
• Loss of water resources
• Unstable geology
• Overgrazing
• Climate change

Way forward

• Scientifically mapping the overall topography
• Sustainable, responsible mining
• Protection of eco-sensitive zones
• Soil moisture conservation
• The Aravalli Green wall project aims to restore degraded lands through afforestation.
  

Sources:

THE HINDU