About Aravalli Green Wall Project:
- The project is a major initiative to green the 5 km buffer area around Aravalli Hill.
- It is part of the Government's vision to create green corridors across the country to combat land degradation and desertification.
- The project covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi- where the Aravalli hills landscape span over 6 million hectares of land.
- The project involves planting native species of trees and shrubs on scrubland, wasteland and degraded forest land, along with rejuvenating and restoring surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes and streams.
- The project also focuses on agroforestry and pasture development to enhance the livelihoods of local communities.
- It will contribute to India's commitments under various international conventions such as UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification), CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) and UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
- Objectives:
- Improving the ecological health of the Aravalli range.
- To prevent eastward expansion of Thar Desert and to reduce land degradation by creating green barriers that will prevent soil erosion, desertification and dust storms
- To help in carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change to enhance the biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Aravalli range by planting native tree species in the Aravalli region, providing habitat for wildlife, improving water quality and quantity.
- To promote sustainable development and livelihood opportunities by involving local communities in afforestation, agro-forestry and water conservation activities that will generate income, employment, food security and social benefits.
