Quiet guardians of life

The Aravalli Range, one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, stretching approximately 692 km from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi, stands as a silent sentinel of life in a rapidly urbanizing and resource-hungry landscape. Its geological formation dates back to the Pre-Cambrian era, making it a relic of ancient Earth processes. While often overshadowed by younger, more prominent mountain ranges, the Aravallis' ecological significance, particularly its role as a biological corridor, is paramount for the environmental health of North-Western India.

At its core, the Aravallis' most critical function is its role as a biological corridor. A biological corridor, also known as a wildlife corridor or green corridor, is a habitat connection that links wildlife populations separated by human activities or natural barriers. These corridors are crucial for maintaining biodiversity by enabling species movement, facilitating genetic exchange between isolated populations, and ensuring long-term landscape-level biodiversity persistence. For instance, species like leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, various deer species, and numerous avian species rely on the Aravalli forests and broken hills to move between fragmented habitats, find food, water, and mates, thereby preventing genetic isolation and local extinctions. This connectivity is vital for the health of ecosystems, ensuring resilience against diseases and environmental changes.

The significance of the Aravallis for India is multi-faceted. Environmentally, it acts as a natural barrier against the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert, influencing regional climate patterns and rainfall. It is a crucial groundwater recharge zone for the arid and semi-arid regions it traverses, particularly important for Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Rajasthan, which face severe water scarcity. The Aravalli forests are also vital for improving air quality in the polluted Delhi-NCR region, often referred to as the 'lungs' of the capital. Economically, the range supports local communities through sustainable forest produce, and its potential for ecotourism, if managed responsibly, could provide alternative livelihoods. Socially, the range holds cultural significance for indigenous communities and offers recreational spaces for urban populations.

However, the Aravallis face immense pressure. Key stakeholders involved in its fate include the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), state forest departments (Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi), and local urban development authorities. On the other side are powerful mining lobbies and real estate developers who often push for projects that involve illegal mining, deforestation, and encroachment. Local communities, often dependent on the range, are caught in the middle, while numerous NGOs and environmental activists tirelessly campaign for its protection, often resorting to legal battles in the Supreme Court and High Courts to enforce environmental laws.

Historically, the Aravallis have seen centuries of human interaction, from early settlements to modern industrialization. The post-independence era, particularly since the 1980s, has witnessed an alarming acceleration of degradation due to rampant illegal mining of minerals like marble, granite, and bajri (riverbed sand), coupled with unchecked urbanization and infrastructure development. This has led to severe habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, and depletion of water tables. Landmark Supreme Court judgments, such as the one in 2004 banning mining in the Aravallis of Haryana, and subsequent rulings, underscore the critical nature of the threat and the legal efforts to combat it.

Protecting the Aravallis is enshrined in India's constitutional framework. Article 48A of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the State to 'endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.' Furthermore, Article 51A(g) makes it a Fundamental Duty for every citizen 'to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.' Key legislative instruments like the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, provide the legal backbone for its conservation. Policies such as the National Forest Policy, 1988, also emphasize the need for environmental stability and ecological balance.

The future implications are stark. Continued degradation of the Aravallis would not only lead to irreversible biodiversity loss but also exacerbate water scarcity, increase air pollution, and accelerate desertification in North India. It would severely impact the quality of life for millions, particularly in major urban centers like Delhi, Gurugram, and Jaipur. The range's capacity to act as a climate change buffer would diminish, making the region more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Therefore, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, restoration efforts through massive afforestation, declaration of more ecologically sensitive zones, community involvement in conservation, and inter-state coordination are crucial for safeguarding this 'quiet guardian of life' for future generations. This aligns with broader themes of sustainable development, environmental governance, and climate change adaptation, which are critical for India's long-term well-being and global environmental commitments.