The Thar Desert is one of the biggest deserts in the world. Every year it’s expanding at an alarming rate in India. The Aravalli mountain range is becoming inefficient in dividing the fertilized land from the desert. So, the Indian government has started working on planting a 1400 Km plant wall to reduce Thar’s expansion. This is the Aravalli Green Wall Project, a pivotal step towards restoring ecological balance in Northern India. So, let’s get into the intricacies of this project and see how it’s a need of an hour.
Aravalli Green Wall Project
The project was started in March of 2023 to develop a 1400 Km long and 5 Km wide tree wall along the Aravalli range. On top of that, the project also aims to restore the small water bodies using sustainable methods. This way, the region’s desertification will be reduced significantly. Therefore, it is a crucial project for the area as it will prevent the loss of vegetation and safeguard the major cities from sandstorms.
- The Ministry of Environment is involved.
- Tackling climate change.
- Restoring the forests.
- Developing 75 water bodies.
- Using local plants to flourish the area.
In the past, the Aravalli mountain range was a natural barrier between the vegetative areas and the mighty Thar Desert. However, the mountains became incompetent over the years due to deforestation and illegal mining. As a result, the expansion of the Thar Desert started at a much higher rate. So, it’s a significant step similar to what the African Union is doing in the Sahara Desert. (The Great Green Wall Project)
Geographic Coverage Of Aravalli Green Wall Project
The central Indian states and territories in the project are Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi, respectively. These are the areas that are most affected by the Thar desert expansion. So, it’s a project that will deliver the regions with preserved vegetation and delayed desertification. At the same time, the project promises to restore the losses in the Aravalli range—both flora and fauna.
- Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi
- Approx 7000 square km area.
- A step for strengthening the Aravalli range
Aims Of The Project
The six significant aims of the Aravalli Green Wall Project are given below.
- Afforestation and reforestation drives
- Community involvement and local participation
- Land restoration and soil conservation
- Use of native and drought-resistant plant species
- Wildlife habitat restoration
- Increasing the carbon sink of the country.
Environmental and Social Impact
There are many different social and environmental impacts of the mission. First of all, it aims to restore the biodiversity of the region alongside improving the air and water quality of the nearby areas. On the other hand, the project will serve as a tool for exploring the potential of ecotourism in the country.
- Reduction in desertification from the Thar Desert
- Enhanced biodiversity
- Improved air and water quality
- Livelihood generation for local communities
- Fulfilling educational and ecotourism potential
Challenges and Concerns
Like any other project, the Aravalli Green Wall Project is also prone to many concerns. There are the issues of land acquisition, budget and funding. The total estimated budget for this project is 16,053 crores. However, any unforeseen problems can arise—affecting the case’s progress. And because of this, the project can stagnate over time.
- Land acquisition and encroachment issues
- Funding and resource allocation
- Monitoring and long-term maintenance
- Climate conditions and soil limitations
The Future Outlook Of the Aravalli Green Wall Project
The project aims to create an additional 2.5 tonnes carbon sink by 2030. It’s a big target, and that’s why the role of other initiatives like CAMPA and the National Afforestation Programme is necessary. Also, the vision for further scalability is possible if everything goes according to the plan.
- Completion by 2030.
- Collaboration with afforestation programs.
- Cooperating with locals and natives.
If you want to contribute to the mission, you can be an advocate for awareness building. This will help the people in the regions to collaborate and cooperate with the project. Furthermore, there are also opportunities for volunteering and being part of community planting events for interested individuals.
Final Thoughts On the Aravalli Green Wall Project
The Aravalli Green Wall Project is a 1400 km long and 5 km wide tree wall in Northern India aimed at reducing the expansion of the Thar Desert. The project, initiated in March 2023, aims to restore ecological balance and prevent the loss of vegetation. It covers Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi, covering approximately 7000 square km.
The project aims to restore biodiversity, improve air and water quality, and explore ecotourism potential. Challenges include land acquisition, budget, and monitoring. The project’s future outlook is to create an additional 2.5 tonnes carbon sink by 2030, requiring collaboration with other initiatives and local cooperation.