12
Jun
Aravalli Green Wall Project
Aravalli Green Wall Project: A Bold Step for Environmental Restoration
On World Environment Day, June 5, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project, a large-scale environmental initiative aimed at restoring the Aravalli mountain range and addressing pressing ecological challenges in the region. This initiative also marked the expansion of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, promoting public participation in reforestation efforts.
Project Overview
The Aravalli Green Wall Project seeks to develop a five-kilometre-wide green buffer along the 700-km-long Aravalli range, spanning 29 districts across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. This green buffer will cover approximately 6.45 million hectares, with nearly 42% of the area currently degraded. The project is designed to tackle land degradation, enhance biodiversity, and improve ecological balance.
Goals and Benefits
The project has multiple objectives:
* Combat air pollution in urban and rural areas
* Curb desertification and stop the eastward expansion of the Thar desert
* Restore water systems like lakes and aquifers
* Enhance soil fertility and water availability
* Create additional carbon sinks (2.5 to 3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent by 2030)
* Generate local employment through the development of 1,000 nurseries and plantation drives
Environmental Significance
The Aravalli range acts as a natural shield against the desert, protects key cities like Delhi and Jaipur, and is the source of rivers such as the Chambal and Sabarmati. However, due to mining, grazing, and urban encroachment, much of its land—especially in Rajasthan—has become degraded.
The Aravalli Green Wall Project is a visionary step toward ecological restoration and climate resilience. With government support and public involvement, especially youth participation, it promises to revive one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges and contribute to a greener, healthier future for India.
