Pro. V.C. Mishra presented the first systematic geographical classification of Rajasthan in his book 'Geography of Rajasthan' published by the National Book Trust in the year 1967. He had divided the state into 7 physical regions keeping in mind not only the surface relief but also the economic characteristics like agricultural pattern, industrial activities and water resources. These 7 regions include Canal Region, Arid Region, Semi-Arid Region, Aravali Region, Eastern Agricultural and Industrial Region, Chambal and Rugged Region and South-Eastern Agricultural Region. Statement D is incorrect because this classification was economic-geographical and not based on relief alone. Other scholars include S.K. Sen (1968) had given 3 divisions and Dr. Ramlochan Singh (1971) had given 2 major, 4 sub-divisions and 12 minor regions.

The four physical regions of Rajasthan are the remains of geologically different periods and ancient landmasses. The Aravali mountain region is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world formed in the Pre-Cambrian period and is a part of Gondwana Land. The south-eastern plateau region (Hadoti) was formed by the deposition of volcanic lava in the Cretaceous period and is also a remnant of the ancient Gondwana Land. The northwestern Thar Desert was formed by the retreat and drying up of the ancient Tethys Sea during the Tertiary to Pleistocene period. The Eastern Plains region is the newest physical region of the state, formed in the Pleistocene period by the accumulation of sediments brought by rivers, which is considered to be a remnant of the trough of the Tethys Sea.

The territorial balance of the four physical regions of Rajasthan is extremely diverse. In the area, desert occupies 61.11% (40% population), Aravalli 9% (10% population), Eastern Plains 23% (39% population) and Hadoti Plateau 6.89% (11% population). The Eastern Plains is the region with the highest population density due to the fertile alluvial soil deposited by the rivers. The regional distribution of annual rainfall increases from west to east and south-east, where rainfall ranges from 10-40 cm in the desert to 80-120 cm in the ultra-humid Hadoti region. In terms of land slope, the desert slopes from north-east to south-west, the eastern plains from west to east and the Hadoti Plateau from south to north and north-east.

Geographically, the South-Eastern Plateau Region (Hadhauti) is located in the far south-eastern corner of the state, while the state of Haryana is located on the north-eastern border of Rajasthan. Therefore, the border of Hadoti Plateau does not touch the state of Haryana at all. Hadoti Plateau shares a wide interstate border mainly with the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Western Desert is the only region that forms the international border with Pakistan. The state of Gujarat borders both the desert (Barmer, Jalore) and Aravalli (Sirohi, Udaipur) regions of Rajasthan to the south-west, while Punjab and Haryana share the north and north-eastern desert and Shekhawati/Bangar regions.

The geographical slope of the Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert) is from north-east to south-west, not from south-west to north-east. The average height of the Ghaggar River plain in the north is about 300 meters, while in the south towards the mouth of the Luni River and the Rann of Kutch the height decreases to 150 meters; Due to this slope, Luni river flows in the south-west direction and merges into the Rann of Kutch. Hence statement D is false. 85% of Thar is spread in India and 15% in Pakistan (where it is called Cholistan). In India, its maximum expansion is in Rajasthan, followed by Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab respectively.

On the basis of relief, the Thar Desert is divided into four parts: 1. Great Desert (border area with sand dunes), 2. Rocky desert or Hamada (naked rocky surface of Pokaran, Ramgarh and Lodrava of Jaisalmer, Phalodi and Barmer), 3. Small desert (from Bikaner to Kutch in the east of Hamada), and 4. Semi-arid desert. Statement D is false because the semi-arid desert Luni Basin, located 'to the west' (not to the east) of the Aravalli, is a transitional part of the Nagauri highlands, Shekhawati and Ghaggar regions. To the east of Aravali lies the Eastern Plains.

Statement D is false because 'Chandan Tubewell' located in the Lathi series of Jaisalmer is called 'Thar ka Ghada' and not 'Aravalli ka Ghada'. Lathi Series is geologically an ancient resurgent water system located in sedimentary limestone and sandstone rocks of the Jurassic period, which extends as a 60 km long strip between Pokhran and Mohangarh. The state bird Godavan (Great Indian Bustard) lays eggs in the Sevan grass here, hence it is also called 'Godavan's resting place'. Another stretch of water strip is also found from Baytu in Barmer to Sanchore in Jalore.

Akal Wood Fossil Park is located in the National Desert Park, about 21 km from Jaisalmer city. Petrified fossils of 180 million years old (Jurassic period) tree trunks and wood have been found here, which prove that dense tropical forests and sea existed here in ancient times. Statement D is false because the glacial remains of Permo-Carboniferous period belong to 'Bap Boulder Clay' located in Phalodi and not to Akal Wood Fossil Park. Akal Wood Park entirely belongs to the sedimentary shale system of the Jurassic period.

Ed. Mackay (1979) had divided sand stupas into 9 categories based on the direction and speed of wind in the desert. Barkhans are crescent-shaped mounds with two horn-like arms projecting in the windward direction; This is the most dynamic and dangerous stupa which is found in abundance in Churu (Bhaleri) and Jaisalmer. Parabolic stupas are the reverse of barkhan (women's hairpin or U-shape) and are the most widespread type found in all the desert districts of Rajasthan. Transverse are formed at 90° right angles to the wind while longitudinal are formed in straight lines parallel to the wind.

Various types of stupas are formed in the desert due to the interaction of wind. Seif is an Arabic word which means sword; It is formed when one arm of the barkhan is stretched long by the wind. Star shaped sand stupas are formed in star shape in areas with multi-directional wind flow (e.g. Mohangarh-Jaisalmer, Suratgarh-Sriganganagar). Nebkha are formed in the windward part of desert bushes (e.g. Kair, Lania). Network Stupas are connected to each other like a network which extends up to Hisar (Haryana). Obstructive Stupas are built on both the slopes of Aravali mountain ranges when they become obstacles, which are also called Jeevritva Obstructive Stupas.

In desert terminology, huge undulating sand dunes formed by local wind currents are called 'dhores' (e.g. "earth dhoran ri"). Whereas the dunes which move from one place to another with the high velocity of wind or are highly mobile are called 'Dhariyan' (धारियान), which are mainly seen in Jaisalmer district. Jodhpur is the only district where all the 9 types of sand stupas described by Makay are found, whereas Jaisalmer and Churu have the highest density of sand stupas.

Luni Basin (Godwad region) is the southern part of the semi-arid desert. Its eastern boundary is determined by the black-brown Dungar range (Pali) located adjacent to the Aravali. The fertile alluvial plain created by Luni and its tributaries is locally called 'Rohi'. The alluvial fan formed in the foothills of the mountain is called 'Bajada' and the isolated granite rocky hills that have survived erosion are called the German word 'Inselberg' (island-mountain). The marshy 'Nehad Run' is situated in Jalore, in the lower mouth of Luni, where saline plants are found.

Ground water in Nagauri highlands (average altitude 300-500 m) is highly saline and fluoride-rich due to mica-schist rocks and salty sources. The wide fluorosis affected area between Nagaur and Ajmer is called 'Kubd/Banka Patti'. In the Shekhawati inflow region, the raw water sources are called 'Johad' (environmentalist Rajendra Singh is called Johad wale Baba) and the temporary ponds formed during monsoon are called 'Sar' (like Salasar, Mansar). The basin of the Kantali river is called Toravati and the traditional public cattle grazing lands are called 'Beed'.

Ghaggar River is considered to be a remnant of the ancient Vedic Saraswati River. In Hanumangarh district, the wide course or riverbed of the Ghaggar River is called 'Nali' or 'Paat' in the local language (Nali breed of sheep is also reared here). The plain of highly fertile and clay loamy soil deposited by the Ghaggar River during floods is locally called 'Kathi' or 'Bagi'. Due to this fertile Kathi soil, there is abundant production of wheat, cotton, sugarcane and rice in Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts.

Khadin is a wonderful agricultural technique of rainwater harvesting developed by the Paliwal Brahmins in Jaisalmer in the 15th century, in which water is retained by building an earthen dam below the slope and when the moisture dries up, Rabi crops (gram, wheat) are grown. The elevated surface of the desert that is waterless and devoid of rivers (mainly Bikaner, Churu) is called 'Thali'. Temporary brackish/fresh lakes formed by filling rainwater in depressions created by wind are called 'playas'. In the Baap area of ​​Phalodi district, the remains of pebbles and stones formed by ancient glacial erosion are called 'Baap Boulder Clay'.

Under desertification, the continuous expansion of the desert towards north-east is called 'march of the desert'. In this, the semi-moon shaped Barkhan stupas which move rapidly with the wind play an important role. 'Peevna' is a yellow colored poisonous snake of the desert which sits on the chest of a sleeping person at night and exhales poisonous breath. Recently, scientists of IIT Roorkee and GSI have discovered fossils of a 16-17 crore year old herbivorous dinosaur which has been named 'Thorosaurus Indicus' in Jethwai village of Jaisalmer.

In the desert, when the low land (Talli) located between the sand stupas gets filled with rain water, due to the salt-rich maraca-schist rocks, marshy, saline and infertile lakes/lands are formed which are called 'Ran' or 'Tat'. Talchhapar and Parihara (Padihara) runs are located in Churu district. Pokaran and Bhakri Run are located in Jaisalmer. The Thobe and Pachpadra runs are located in Balotra (formerly Barmer) (the Thobe is considered the driest run in the state). Bap and Phalodi Run are located in the newly formed Phalodi district. 'Redana Run' is situated in Barmer.

The Thar Desert is not a barren wasteland, but it is the energy and security shield of the state. Continuous clear sunshine and strong winds are available here for MW solar and wind projects. Barmer-Sanchaur basin (Mangla, Bhagyam, Aishwarya oil wells) is the country's major on-shore crude oil producer. The historic nuclear tests of 18 May 1974 (Smiling Buddha) and 11 and 13 May 1998 (Operation Shakti) were conducted in Pokhran. Asia's largest military practice firing ranges are established in Chandan (Jaisalmer) and Mahajan (Bikaner). Apart from this, Kolayat, Gajner and Gadisar are the major 'oasis' of the desert.

Aravalli is one of the oldest folded mountain ranges in the world, which was formed by the collision of tectonic plates in the Pre-Cambrian era about 65 to 70 crore years ago. Due to millions of years of continuous physical and chemical erosion (Anisomeric Weathering), today it has survived only in the form of stumps/remains of its original height, hence at present it is considered as a 'relic mountain'. Famous geologist A.M. Heron divided the Aravali rock groups into the Delhi Supergroup. Colonel Todd has called it Paripatra in Aravalli and Vishnu Purana.

The geographical extension of Aravali is from south-west to north-east direction. But in statement D the order of breadth is written wrong; In fact, the width and height of Aravali is maximum in the south-west (Sirohi, Udaipur) and as one goes towards the north-east (Jaipur, Alwar), its width and height decreases (ie, when coming from north-east to south-west, the width increases, not decreases). Its average height in Rajasthan is 930 meters. Because its origin is believed to be from the bottom of the Arabian Sea (Minicoy), the Arabian Sea is called the father of Aravali.

Aravali is divided into three parts for the convenience of study: 1. Northern Aravali (Jaipur-Jhunjhunu-Alwar region), where the average height is 450 meters and width is uncertain and fragmented; Its highest peak is Raghunathgarh (1055 m, Sikar). 2. Central Aravalli (Ajmer-Beawar region), whose average height is 700 meters and width is 30 km; Its highest peak is Todgarh or Moramji/Goramji (934 m, Beawar) and Taragarh (873 m). 3. Southern Aravalli (Udaipur-Sirohi-Rajsamand), where the average height is 1000 meters and width is 100 km (maximum); Its highest peak is Gurushikhar (1722 m).

The height wise descending order of Aravali peaks is very important for examinations. Gurushikhar (1722m/1727m including temple), Ser (1597m) and Dilwara (1442m) are situated in the Abu range of Sirohi. Jarga (1431m) is the fourth highest peak in Udaipur and Achalgarh (1380m, Sirohi) is the fifth highest peak. After this, Kumbhalgarh (1224m, Rajsamand), Raghunathgarh (1055m, Sikar), Lohargal (1051m, Jhunjhunu), Malkhet (1050m, Sikar), Rishikesh (1017m), Kamalnath (1001m, Udaipur), Sajjangarh (938m, Udaipur), Todgarh (934m, Beawar), Taragarh (873m, Ajmer). And Bilali (775m, Alwar) comes.

Colonel James Todd had called it the 'Peak of the Saints' after seeing the height of Gurushikhar (1722 meters) and the numerous penance caves of saints and the secluded atmosphere there. Gurushikhar is named after 'Rishi Dattatreya' who is considered to be the incarnation of Trinity. The original geographical height of Gurushikhar is 1722 meters, but including the flag of the 5 meter high temple of Rishi Dattatreya situated on its peak, the total height is also considered to be 1727 meters. Gurushikhar is the highest mountain peak not only of Rajasthan but of the entire Central India between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

Ghosi Hill (740 m), located on the Rajasthan-Haryana border in Jhunjhunu district, appears to be a dormant volcanic structure, hence it is also called 'Aagneya Giri'. Harsh Hill (820 m) located in Sikar district is known for the famous Harshnath Temple (note that Harshnath Hill is also in Alwar). The highest peak of the Jaswantpura Hills is Mount Dora (869 m), located in Jalore district; Apart from this, Israna Bhakar (839m) and Roza Bhakar (730m) are situated in Jalore. Saira (900m) and Gogunda (840m) are the main peaks of Southern Aravali in Udaipur.

The local words used in the Aravalli region are very specific. In Sirohi, the jagged hills with extremely steep slopes are called 'Bhakar' (e.g. Roza Bhakar, Israna Bhakar). The bowl-shaped/saucer-shaped valley in which the city of Udaipur is situated, the circular mountains surrounding it are called 'Girwa' (circle of the valley of Udaipur). The Merwara Hills (Beawar, Todgarh) are a geographical barrier separating the flat plains of Marwar from the high plateau of Mewar. Mount Abu city of Sirohi (the highest city of the state situated at an altitude of 1300 meters) is geologically a huge granite batholith (plutonic rock rock).

Aravalli hills have historically contributed to the construction of forts from a strategic point of view. Sonar Fort of Jaisalmer is situated on the Trikut hill (note that Trikut hill is famous for the Kaila Devi temple in Karauli). The huge Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur is built on Chidiyatonk or Panchetiya hill. Taragarh Fort of Ajmer is called Garh-Beethali because it is built on the Beethali hill. The famous fort of Chittorgarh is situated on a 620 meter high mesa plateau. Apart from this, Jalore Fort is built on Suvarnagiri, Kumbhalgarh on Hemkut/Gandhamadan and Amer Fort is built on Kalikhoh.

Aravali and Hadoti plateaus are the main highland areas of the state. Oriya Plateau (1360m) is the highest plateau of the state and Abu Plateau (1200m) is the third highest plateau. The broad Bhorat plateau (1225m) between Kumbhalgarh and Gogunda is the main watershed of the Aravalli where the Jarga peak is situated. The highly eroded and eroded plateau situated to the east of Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake) in Salumbar is called Lasadiya Plateau. The upper Mal plateau extending from Bhainsrodgarh (Chittorgarh) to Bijolia (Bhilwara) has been the birthplace of the historical Bijolia farmer movement. The correct order of the plateaus from east to west is: Hadauti → Uparmal → Lasadiya → Bhorat.

The natural narrow paths crossing the mountains are called 'Nal' or 'Pass' in the local language. Most of the passes in the state are found in Rajsamand district. Desuri ki Naal, Jheelwada and Pagalya ki Naal are actually different names of the same pass road which connects Pali and Rajsamand. Maharana Jai ​​Singh had built Asia's largest artificial fresh water Jaisamand (Dhebar) lake on the Gomti River near Debar Nal located in Salumbar. Bar Pass located in Beawar district connects Marwar (Pali/Jodhpur) to Mewada (Ajmer/Beawar). Apart from this, Hathiguda Naal (Rajsamand) and Phulwari Naal (Udaipur) are also important.

Aravali is the lifeline of Rajasthan. Had Aravali not been there, the entire eastern Rajasthan would have turned into a desert. The waters of its western slope (Luni, Western Banas, Sabarmati) go into the Arabian Sea and the waters of the eastern slope (Banas, Chambal, Banganga) go into the Bay of Bengal. The Dharwad Shale system of the ancient Aravalli is rich in metallic minerals (copper in Khetri, lead-zinc in Jawar). Apart from being the origin place of tribal culture (Bhil, Garasia, Meena) and most of the rivers of the state (Banas, Luni, Bedach, Sabarmati), it has also been the nurturing place of ancient civilizations like Aahar, Gilund and Ganeshwar.

The word 'Piedmont' is made up of two French/Italian words 'Pied' (foot/foothill) and 'Mont' (mountain), which literally means 'the hilly plain situated at the foot/foothills of the mountain'. The high level desolate plain formed around Devgarh in Rajsamand district due to the erosion of Aravali hills is called 'Piedmont Plain of Devgarh'. This plain is situated in the upper basin of Banas River where residual mounds of granite (Tors) are visible scattered at many places.

The Eastern Plains region (23% of the state) is the newest physical region of Rajasthan which was formed by continuous alluvial deposition of rivers during the Pleistocene period. The alluvial/alluvial soil brought every year by the rivers is highly fertile, due to which food grain production is highest here. Due to this agricultural prosperity and plain plain surface, there has been maximum development of transport and industries, due to which 39% of the state's population resides here and it is the physical region with the highest population density in the state.

The Eastern Plains is divided into three major basins: 1. Mahi Plains (Vagad/Kanthal/Southern Plains) – formed by the Mahi River in Banswara, Dungarpur and Pratapgarh. 2. Banas-Banganga plain - which is divided into two parts: the southern part of Banas 'Mewar plain' (Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara), the northern part 'Malpura-Karauli plain' (Tonk, Sawai Madhopur) and the Banganga river basin (Jaipur, Dausa, Bharatpur) which is also called 'Rohi plain'. 3. Chambal plains – which is famous for the rugged land in Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Dholpur.

Mahi river basin is called Vagad or Kanthal plain. Due to its location on the banks of Mahi, the area of ​​Pratapgarh is called 'Kanthal' (coast). The area of ​​influence of 56 rivers and streams and 56 villages between Banswara and Pratapgarh is called 'Chhappan ka Maidan' (note that the 56 domed hills near Nakoda mountain in Balotra/Barmer are called 'Chhappan ki Hills', both are different). 'Mahi Kanchan' and 'Mahi Dhawal' varieties of maize and 'Mahi Sugandha' varieties of Basmati rice developed by Agricultural Research Center Banswara are sown in this red-smooth fertile soil area.

The Banas River plain is a broad alluvial plain located to the east of the Aravali which is divided into two parts. The southern part from the origin of Banas River to Devgarh and Bhilwara is called 'Mewar Plain' (Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand), where mainly medium brown soil is found. Whereas beyond Banas, the northern part flowing towards Tonk, Sawai Madhopur and Karauli is called 'Malpura-Karauli plain', where the rivers deposit vast fertile alluvial soil.

Chambal river is infamous for gully erosion and formation of ravines in India. Chambal and its tributaries erode the upper and deeper layers of the soil with their strong flow during the rainy season, forming ravines 15 to 30 meters deep, which are called 'ravine' or 'ravine'. The highest density of ravines is in Kota and Dholpur, while the maximum expansion is in Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Dholpur. The higher rugged part of the ravine is called 'Dang'; Karauli district is called 'Queen of Dang' and Dholpur is called 'King of Dang'.

Eastern plains are the mainstay of the economy of Rajasthan. Due to the presence of alluvial soil and rivers (Chambal, Banas, Mahi) here, agricultural productivity is highest. Industrial corridors like Jaipur and Alwar (part of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor - DMIC) are located in this flat plain where rail, road and infrastructure are most developed. From the point of view of environment and biodiversity, 'Keoladev Ghana National Park' of Bharatpur (winter migration site of Siberian Crane and Ramsar Site) and 'Band Baretha Sanctuary' are the identity of this eastern plain region.

Hadoti Plateau (6.89% area of ​​the state, 11% population) is part of the Deccan Trap and Malwa Plateau of peninsular India. During the Cretaceous period, when liquid basaltic lava flowed from the cracks of the earth and accumulated, this lava plateau was formed. Chronologically, it is the second oldest region of the state after Aravali (Pre-Cambrian) (the desert and eastern plains were formed after it). Weathering of basalt rocks has created self-cultivating 'medium black soil' (Vertisols), which is famous for soybean, Kota stone, oranges (Jhalawar) and spices due to its excellent water holding capacity.

On the basis of geological structure, Hadoti Plateau has been divided into two parts: 1. Deccan Lava Plateau – It is located to the south and west of Hadoti, which includes Malav region (Jhalawar, Pratapgarh) and Upper Mal (Bhansrodgarh to Bijolia); Basalt lava rocks predominate here. 2. Vindhyan Scarpland - This is a steeply sloping rocky ledge to the north-east and east of Hadoti along the Chambal River, which is known for its huge reserves of sandstone, limestone, Kota stone and red stone of Dholpur.

At the meeting point of the Aravalli mountain region and the south-eastern Hadoti Plateau (Vindhan Range), there is a sharp crack/fault line created by geological movement, which is called 'Great Boundary Fault' (GBF) or 'Great Boundary Fault'. This great fault line extends in the form of a curved line through Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Bundi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli till Dholpur. It clearly differentiates the ancient Delhi Supergroup shales of Aravali from the Vindhyan sequence shales and has also been nominated for the World Heritage Geostructure list.

The first sub-region of the Hadoti Plateau is the crescent-shaped mountain ranges which are divided into two parts: 1. Bundi Hills - This is an 18 km long double range whose highest peak is Satur (353 meters) and where Lakheri (where the first cement factory of the state was established by ACC in 1915) and Ramgarh passes are located. 2. Mukundara Hills - It extends from Kota to Jhalawar whose highest peak Chandwadi (517 m) is the highest peak of the entire Hadoti plateau. Here Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve (2013) and the palace of Abali Meeni built by Maharao Mukund Singh of Kota are situated.

The Shahabad highlands of Baran district is the third sub-region of Hadoti where the Sahariya tribe (the only primitive tribe of the state) resides. Located here in Ramgarh village, a huge crater lake with a diameter of 3.2 km is situated amidst a horse-shoe-like circular hill. According to geologists, this is not a volcanic crater but a lake formed by a meteorite impact. In the year 2021, it was recognized as the 200th crater in the world (third in India after Lonar in Maharashtra and Dhala in MP). The state government is making it India's first notified geo-heritage tourism center at a cost of ₹57 crore.

The fourth and fifth sub-regions of Hadoti Plateau are Jhalawar Plateau and Dag-Gangdhar highlands respectively. The Jhalawar plateau is a basalt lava plateau with an average height of 300-450 meters to the south of the Mukundara hills, where a very humid climate and fertile black soil are found (Jhalawar is called 'Nagpur of Rajasthan' due to the highest rainfall and humidity). Dag-Gangdhar highland is an area of ​​small hills and high plateau surface located in the far south-west of Jhalawar district (Dag and Gangdhar tehsil), whose western boundary is determined by the Chambal river.

Hadoti plateau is the smallest but extremely rich physical region in water and mineral resources of the state. Most of the rivers in the state flow in Kota division/Hadoti, due to which surface water and water network of dams like Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar and Kota Barrage are located here. National Chambal Sanctuary is a tri-state (Raj, MP, UP) sanctuary famous for the endangered freshwater dolphin (Platanista gangetica or Gangetic dolphin). Stone industry (Kota stone extraction) and spice/soybean agriculture are the major economic backbone of Hadoti.

The Aravalli Green Wall Project (along the lines of Africa's Great Green Wall) was first launched in 2023 and relaunched in a more comprehensive form on 5 June 2025. According to the report of ISRO (ISRO - 2021), 68.3% of the land of Rajasthan is affected by desertification and erosion and 81% of the Aravali land in the state has been degraded. The aim of this Green Wall Project is to stop the Thar Desert from expanding towards the east by planting trees and conserving water on 11 lakh hectares of land in 29 districts in a 1400 km long and 5 km wide strip from Porbandar in Gujarat to Delhi.

Taking cognizance of the increasing illegal mining in Aravali, disappearance of hills and increasing threat of desertification, the Supreme Court in December 2025 imposed a complete ban on new mining leases in the entire Aravali range spread over Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. In the absence of a clear definition of Aravalli, to stop the tendency of states to give lease to the hills by calling them simple mounds, a high-powered committee was formed in June 2026 under the chairmanship of Director General ICFRE, which will submit its report by doing digital demarcation of the continuous mountain sections of Aravalli or more than 100 meters high.

According to the data of the latest Land Degradation and Desertification Atlas of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Environment Ministry, Rajasthan has emerged as the only state in India where the rate of desertification and land degradation has continuously decreased since 2003-05. Relative to the total geographical area of ​​the country, the desertification rate in Rajasthan was 6.58% in 2003-05, which decreased to 6.55% in 2011-13 and 6.46% in 2018-19. During this period, about 3.87 lakh hectares of degraded land has been improved, the main reason for which is the increase in agricultural area irrigated by Indira Gandhi Canal and wells, reduction in dust storms and intensive plantation.

The regional distribution of soil and climate is completely different in the four physical regions of Rajasthan. In the desert, due to rainfall of 10-40 cm, sandy loam soil is found in dry/semi-arid climate and poor water retention. Aravali has a sub-humid climate and mountainous red-brown soil with 40-60 cm rainfall. The eastern plains have a humid climate with 60-80 cm rainfall and alluvial/alfisols soil brought by rivers. Hadoti has the state's highest rainfall of 80-120 cm, a very humid climate and black soil (Vertisols - abundance of clay) formed from basalt lava is found.

The four physical regions of Rajasthan are known for their unique natural and cultural heritage. The 60 km long Lathi Series Jalpatti, 180 million year old Akal Wood Fossil Park and Phalodi Ka Baap Boulder Clay are located in the Thar Desert. The only hill station of the state, Mount Abu, Guru Shikhar, Dilwara Temple, a unique example of Jain architecture and Nakki Lake (the highest lake of the state) are located in the Aravalli region. UNESCO sites Keoladeo, Bandh Baretha and Chhappan Ka Maidan are located in the eastern plains. Mukundara Tiger Reserve, Abli Meeni Mahal and Ramgarh Meteorite Crater are located in Hadoti Plateau.

Surface relief and slope determine the flow system of rivers. The Aravalis form the spine of the state and form the highest terrain with an average elevation of 930 m (highest point Gurushikhar 1722m). Hadoti Plateau is 450-600m high and slopes from south (MP border) towards north and north-east, hence Chambal, Kalisindh and Parvati rivers flow in north-east direction and join Yamuna. The desert is 150-300m high and slopes towards the south-west and the Luni River flows towards the Rann of Kutch. The eastern plain is 200-500m high and slopes towards the east.

These technical terms have special meaning in desert and semi-arid geography. The sloping plain formed by the accumulation of pebbles, stones and silt carried by water under the dry mountain slopes is called the Spanish/geographical word 'Bajada'. In the last stage of the erosion cycle, a single hard rocky hill standing on the plain is called the German word 'Inselberg' (like the granite hills of Jalore). The fertile karap soil plain situated near Aravalli in the upper basin of Luni river is called 'Rohi' (Similarly, Banganga basin is also called Rohi plain).