Colors of India

Author: Bruno Morandi (France)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The Aravalli Mountains are the world's oldest folded mountain range, dividing the state of Rajasthan into the northwest and southeast regions. Nearly two-thirds of Rajasthan's land is covered by the Thar Desert to the northwest of the Aravalli Mountains. The Thar is the world's most densely populated desert region. Due to the dense sand dunes in the Thar area, Rajasthan is also known as the "Land of Sand Dunes." The southeastern region is higher in elevation and more fertile than the northwest. It features rolling hills, vast forests, and several major rivers. In the southeastern part of Rajasthan's northwest, there is a barren plateau, divided into different sections by rocky cliffs and mountains. Here, artificially constructed reservoirs and deep wells serve as irrigation sources for the yellow earth in the river valleys. Guru Shikhar, meaning "Hermit Peak," is the highest peak of the Aravalli Mountains and is known as the "" of Rajasthan. Another mountain range in the southeastern part of the state, the Vindhyas, is also famous. It is the source of Rajasthan's only perennially flowing Chambal River and the Banas River of Madhya Pradesh. The plains in the southeastern part of the Aravalli Mountains are divided into the southern and eastern regions. The eastern plains were formed by seasonal rivers. Most of the southern and southeastern regions of Rajasthan are highlands. These highlands are the highest parts of the northern Indian plains and serve as a geographical boundary for India. The Aravalli Mountains are indeed a natural barrier, capable of weakening the fierce winds carrying sand and gravel from the west. As long as the green on the eastern slopes remains intact, the farmlands in the eastern plains will be even more fertile. P13