• India’s seven major mountain systems: Himalayas, Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Purvanchal.
• Aravalli highlights:
  • Oldest in India and among Earth’s oldest geological formations, dating to the Proterozoic era (~2 billion years ago).
  • Formed long before the dinosaurs and long before the Himalayas.
  • Today, the Aravalli Range extends across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, continuing to captivate historians and nature enthusiasts.
• Why the Aravalli is in the news:
  • A Supreme Court-backed move in late 2025 adopted a uniform definition for Aravalli hills and ranges.
  • New criteria: a “Aravalli Hill” must rise at least 100 meters above surrounding land, and a stretch qualifies as an “Aravalli Range” only if two or more such hills lie within 500 meters of each other.
  • Implication: Some lower hillocks and forested ridges could lose legal protection, potentially opening them to mining and real estate development.
  • Public reaction: Protests and campaigns like “Save Aravalli” especially in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR.
  • Government stance: Over 90% of the Aravalli region remains protected; no mining norms have been relaxed according to officials.
  • Ecological importance: The Aravalli acts as a barrier to desertification, helps recharge groundwater, and supports wildlife corridors.
• Ecological and cultural significance:
  • The Aravallis function as a natural shield against the Thar Desert and serve as a vital wildlife corridor.
  • The range hosts several important and visitor-friendly sites, underscoring its ongoing relevance.

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

Sariska Tiger Reserve lies firmly within the Aravalli Range and is shaped by its ancient geology. Today, Sariska is a safe home to tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, sambar deer, and a rich variety of birds. It was not too long ago that Sariska, being a tiger reserve, had no tigers. But due to successful conservation programmes, today, the big cat population is not only increasing, but thriving too. Jeep safaris here offer a chance to experience wildlife against the backdrop of 2-billion-year-old hills.

Mount Abu and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s only hill station, Mount Abu is the highest peak of the Aravalli Range and a striking exception to Rajasthan’s arid image. It’s cooler here, and the vegetation is more diverse. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to leopards, jungle cats, sambars, and several rare plant species.

Jhalana Leopard Safari Park, Jaipur

Did you know that Jhalana Leopard Safari Park is located within Jaipur city limits? Jhalana demonstrates how wildlife can coexist with urban environments. Jhalana is best known for its leopard population, along with desert foxes, striped hyenas, and several species of birds of prey. Safari drives here are among the most accessible ways to experience the Aravallis’ wildlife without venturing far from a major city. Want to see a leopard? This is one of the best places to do so.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan

History and wilderness blend seamlessly here. Encircling the iconic Kumbhalgarh Fort, the sanctuary protects a vast, largely untouched stretch of the Aravalli Range. Characterised by steep escarpments, thick forest cover and secluded valleys, this rugged landscape has been moulded by geological forces dating back nearly two billion years. The reserve also supports a thriving wildlife population, including leopards, wolves and sloth bears, along with herbivores such as chital and nilgai.

The Delhi Ridge (Northern Aravallis)

The Delhi Ridge is the northernmost extension of the Aravalli Range, making it one of the world’s oldest mountain systems to exist within a modern megacity. The ridge plays a vital role in maintaining Delhi’s ecological balance, and forms one of the most important green pockets in the city. Here you will find wildlife like nilgai, jackals, porcupines, reptiles, and numerous bird species.

Aravalli Biodiversity Parks, Gurugram and Delhi-NCR

A large part of the Aravallis stayed degraded for long, till restored biodiversity parks in Gurugram and Delhi revived those sections. By introducing native grasslands, scrub forests, and wetlands, today, these parks have become prominent attractions for wildlife enthusiasts. Find migratory birds, butterflies, reptiles, and small mammals.

The Aravalli corridor and desert edge ecosystems

One of the Aravallis’ most crucial roles is acting as a natural ecological barrier between fertile plains and the Thar Desert. For over 2 billion years, these hills have influenced wind patterns, rainfall distribution, and soil retention across western India. The scrub forests and grasslands along the desert edge support species such as wolves, desert cats, foxes, and migratory birds.