Reviving Aravallis

THE Aravalli Green Wall Project, an eco-restoration initiative by the Union Environment Ministry, promises to be a turning point in combating land degradation and desertification. Covering over 1.1 million hectares across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi, this 1,400-km-long and 5-km-wide green corridor aims to restore the Aravalli hills’ ecological vitality. Once a thriving ecosystem of hills, forests, fauna, aquifers and natural drainage, the Aravallis now bear the unfortunate distinction of being the country’s most degraded forest range. Over 30 hillocks have already vanished, particularly in Haryana’s Gurugram, Faridabad, Mewat, Mahendragarh and Rewari districts. Relentless urban expansion has replaced verdant landscapes with concrete jungles, disrupting the ecological balance. Within decades, habitats thriving for millennia now teeter on the brink of extinction. The cost of this development has been immense, with the loss of indigenous species, widespread deforestation and drying up of critical groundwater recharge zones.

Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s green initiatives, the Green Wall Project aims to reverse this destruction. Indigenous species and community engagement lie at its core. Haryana’s proactive measures, such as reviving 75 water bodies and restoring 35,000 hectares of degraded land, exemplify the potential of collaborative efforts among states to tackle this environmental crisis. The World Bank is supporting the Aravalli project with funding for initiatives like afforestation, water conservation and pollution control.

However, the project’s success depends on enforcing conservation laws to prevent illegal mining and encroachments. Preserving legal safeguards, such as the Punjab Land Preservation Act, is crucial. The states must transcend political boundaries to protect these shared ecological treasures. The Green Wall Project is a fight to reclaim the Aravallis and reverse decades of destruction. With robust public-private partnerships and community involvement, the initiative offers hope to revive these ancient hills.