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.