ARAVALLI GREEN WALL PROJECT
- Overview: India’s delegation, led by the Union Environment Minister, is actively participating in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh, where it is presenting the Aravalli Green Wall Project.
- This project is a key initiative aimed at greening the Aravalli Hill region to prevent land degradation and desertification.
The
Aravalli Green Wall Project is a major environmental effort to restore and improve the
Aravalli range and its surrounding areas.
KEY FEATURES OF THE PROJECT
- Objective: To create a 5 km green buffer around the Aravalli Hill to combat desertification, land degradation, and climate change.
- Location: The project spans across the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, covering an area of 6 million hectares where the Aravalli Hills stretch.
- Planting Efforts: It will involve planting native tree species and shrubs on scrubland, wasteland, and degraded forest land to restore these areas.
- Water Restoration: It will focus on rejuvenating water bodies like ponds, lakes, and streams that are crucial for the ecosystem.
- Livelihood Development: The project will also support agroforestry and pasture development, promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
OBJECTIVES
- Ecological Health:
- The project aims to improve the ecological health of the Aravalli range by creating green barriers and increasing the overall biodiversity in the region.
- Prevent Desertification:
- The project will help prevent the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert and reduce land degradation by creating green barriers that will:
- Prevent soil erosion.
- Combat dust storms.
- Mitigate desertification.
- Climate Change Mitigation:
- By planting native trees, the project will contribute to carbon sequestration, helping in the fight against climate change.
- The project will also enhance biodiversity and improve ecosystem services like water quality and habitat creation for wildlife.
- Sustainable Livelihoods:
- Involving local communities in afforestation, agroforestry, and water conservation activities will generate income, employment, food security, and various social benefits.
- International Commitments:
- The project will contribute to India’s commitments under various global conventions, including:
- UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
- CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity).
- UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
ABOUT ARAVALLI RANGE
- The Aravalli Range is a mountain range in northwestern India.
- It is one of the oldest fold mountains in the world, stretching approximately 670 km (430 miles) in a southwest
- The range starts near Delhi, passes through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ends in Gujarat.
This ambitious project will play a crucial role in
sustainable development, addressing
environmental challenges, and helping
local communities thrive while working towards a
greener future for India.
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