Aravalli Green Wall Project: Features, Need & Challenges

Table of contents

India is witnessing severe desertification, with nearly 30% of its land degraded (ISRO’s Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas). India has launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project, a 1,400 km long and 5 km wide afforestation belt spanning Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi to combat this. Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall, this initiative aims to restore degraded land, improve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change.

Credit: The Times of India

Aravalli Green Wall Project: Key Features

Geographical Coverage: Spans 1,500 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, forming a green barrier against desertification.
Afforestation Drive: Plant 50 million native trees (Arjuna, Dhau, Khejri, Banyan) to restore biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Water Conservation: It includes rainwater harvesting, check dams, and restoration of 20+ wetlands to recharge groundwater and combat arid conditions.
Community Participation: Engages 10,000+ farmers and SHGs in agroforestry, sustainable livelihoods, and eco-tourism, promoting economic resilience.
Pollution Control & Climate Resilience: Acts as a windbreak against dust storms, reducing 40% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution, mitigating heat island effects, and strengthening climate adaptation.

Need for the Green Wall in India

Rising Desertification: 68.3% of Rajasthan is undergoing desertification (ISRO, 2021), threatening agriculture, biodiversity, & groundwater. India’s degraded land totals 96.4 million hectares (MoEFCC, 2022).
Aravalli Degradation: Over 25% of the Aravalli range has vanished due to mining, deforestation, and encroachments (TERI, 2022), weakening its role as a natural barrier against desert expansion.
Water Scarcity: Groundwater levels in Haryana and Rajasthan are depleting by 1-1.5 meters annually (CGWB, 2023).
- Rajasthan’s per capita water availability is below 500 cubic meters, marking absolute water scarcity (NITI Aayog, 2022).
Severe Air Pollution: Dust storms from Rajasthan contribute 40% of Delhi’s PM2.5 levels in summer (CPCB, 2022), worsening respiratory issues and urban heat island effects.

Challenges in Implementing the Aravalli Green Wall Project

Land Acquisition & Legal Hurdles: Fragmented land holdings, unclear titles, and encroachments delay afforestation efforts, especially in Rajasthan and Haryana.
Water Scarcity & Harsh Climate: With just 450 mm annual rainfall and declining groundwater (1-1.5m per year) (CGWB, 2023), sustained irrigation for plantations remains a significant challenge.
Illegal Mining & Deforestation: 70% of Aravalli land degradation (Haryana Forest Dept, 2023) is due to illegal mining and deforestation, despite SC-imposed bans.
Financial Constraints: The project requires ₹20,000 crores over a decade, but limited funding, weak private investment, and underutilized CSR & carbon credits hinder progress.
Community & Ecological Challenges: Local farmers rely on open lands, making afforestation difficult without sustainable alternatives. Managing invasive species like Prosopis juliflora is also crucial.

Key Government Policies & Support for the Aravalli Green Wall Project

National Mission for a Green India: Focuses on large-scale afforestation and ecological restoration.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund: Allocates ₹50,000 cr for afforestation & degraded land restoration.
Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 2015: Regulates illegal mining to prevent land degradation.
Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas (ISRO): Identifies critical degradation zones for targeted intervention.
State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat emphasize Aravalli restoration.

Way Forward for the Aravalli Green Wall Project

Multi-Stakeholder Approach: Leverage the PPP model, CSR funding, and NGO participation to ensure long-term financial and operational sustainability.
Technology-Driven Solutions: Implement satellite-based monitoring, AI-driven soil health assessment, and drone-assisted afforestation for precision and efficiency.
Sustainable Livelihoods & Eco-Tourism: Promote eco-parks, trekking trails, and agroforestry to generate income while ensuring environmental conservation.
Strengthened Policy & Enforcement: Enforce strict bans on illegal mining, incentivize sustainable agriculture, and ensure effective land-use regulations.

The Aravalli Green Wall Project marks a transformative shift from a climate-driven crisis to a nature-based solution. By integrating afforestation, water conservation, and community participation, India is not only combating desertification but also fostering ecological resilience for a sustainable future.

Reference: The Times of India | PMFIAS: Land Degradation and Restoration

UPSC Mains PYQs – Theme – Land Degradation

[UPSC 2020] Examine the environmental impacts of mining activities in India. How can sustainable mining practices be promoted?
[UPSC 2019] Discuss the role of afforestation in maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change.
[UPSC 2018] How does land degradation impact the livelihood of rural communities in India? Suggest measures to address this issue.
[UPSC 2017] What are the challenges of water scarcity in India, and how can watershed management address these issues?
[UPSC 2016] Evaluate the effectiveness of India’s environmental policies in combating land degradation and promoting sustainable development.

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 120

Q. The Aravalli region is witnessing rapid environmental degradation, threatening ecological balance and regional climate stability. Assess the Aravalli Green Wall Project’s role in addressing this crisis and compare its approach with global afforestation models to combat desertification and restore ecosystems. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: In the introduction, the Aravalli range is degrading due to deforestation and urbanization, accelerating desertification.
Body: In the body, the Green Wall Project counters this through afforestation, water conservation, and global best practices.
Conclusion: In conclusion, integrating policy, technology, and community efforts ensures long-term sustainability.