Aravalli Green Wall Project

The launch of the Aravalli Green Wall project on June 5, World Environment Day, aims to address the extensive destruction of the Aravalli mountain range, one of India’s oldest mountain ranges.

Objectives and Strategy

• Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall project, the Indian initiative intends to reforest 700 km of the Aravalli range across 29 districts in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• The project seeks to replace destructive alien species with native species in scrubland, wasteland, and degraded forest areas, and restore water bodies.
• It aims to create an additional 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon sink as part of India’s commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions under the United Nations’ Paris Climate Agreement.

Collaboration and Challenges

• The government plans to collaborate with state governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities in efforts like pasture development and agroforestry.
• The project faces challenges due to the Aravallis being a recognized biodiversity hotspot currently experiencing unchecked ecological exploitation.
• Illegal activities like mining, deforestation, and encroachment have led to significant degradation, with over a quarter of the range already affected.

Current Issues and Data

• The Indian Space Research Organisation highlighted the degradation of the Aravallis almost a decade ago using satellite data.
• Excessive mining has led to the drying up of rivers in north Rajasthan.
• The Central Ground Water Board reported in 2023 that groundwater levels in Haryana and Rajasthan are depleting by 1 to 1.5 meters annually.

Institutional and Political Considerations

• Illegal activities result in significant revenue losses for state governments, indicating a need to dismantle the collusion between state officials and private entrepreneurs.
• Success requires strong inter-state institutional mechanisms for monitoring and deterrence.
• Political and bureaucratic support is crucial for sustainability, ensuring the initiative continues beyond political changes.

Lessons from the Western Ghats

• The deteriorating ecology of the Western Ghats highlights the risks of inadequate recognition from state regimes.
• Reports have recommended banning mining, quarrying, and thermal power plants in ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs).
• Satellite imagery from landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, last year revealed the presence of 48 stone quarries, with 15 in ESAs, underscoring the need for stringent environmental regulations.

The Aravalli Green Wall project is an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and to establish a sustainable approach to environmental conservation.