Aravalli Green Wall Project

• The Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to create a continuous green belt from Delhi to Gujarat.
• It is designed to act as a natural barrier against desertification and support groundwater recharge in the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Geographic Coverage

• Covers 29 districts across four states and UTs:
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan
  • Haryana
  • Delhi
• Initially focused on a 5-kilometre buffer zone, now expanded to the entire Aravalli range.

Objectives

• Restore degraded forest and land areas.
• Improve soil moisture and water retention through conservation practices.
• Promote plantation of indigenous and climate-resilient species.
• Revive and protect India’s oldest mountain range, the Aravallis.

Key Features

• Establishment of 1,000 permanent nurseries across the region.
• Use of satellite mapping and remote sensing for monitoring and transparency.
• Strong focus on community participation and local livelihoods.

Funding Mechanism

• Implemented using existing government schemes:
  • MNREGA
  • Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
  • Green India Mission

Ecological Significance of Aravalli Range

• Home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries.
• Hosts 4 tiger reserves:
  • Ranthambore
  • Sariska
  • Ramgarh-Vishdhari
  • Mukunda Hills
• Includes Keoladeo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage bird sanctuary.
• Contains nearly 50 historic forts.
• Source of major rivers such as Chambal and Luni.
• Highest peak is Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
• Rich in minerals, flora, and fauna.

Linked Initiative

• Integrated with ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
• Encourages citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers and pledge environmental protection.
• Aims to build emotional and social ownership of conservation.

• The Aravalli range has suffered severe environmental degradation due to mining, urbanisation, deforestation, and climate stress.
• The project addresses land degradation, desert expansion, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity.