Aravalli Green Wall Initiative

Source: TP

Context: Prime Minister of India will launch the Aravalli Green Wall initiative on World Environment Day 2025 to rejuvenate the ancient Aravalli range.

About Aravalli Green Wall Initiative:

• What is it? A centrally coordinated reforestation and landscape restoration campaign led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), covering the 700-km Aravalli range.

• A centrally coordinated reforestation and landscape restoration campaign led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), covering the 700-km Aravalli range.

• Objectives:

• Combat land degradation and desertification across 29 districts. Restore ecological balance by increasing green cover and protecting biodiversity. Strengthen carbon sequestration under India’s climate commitments (NDC-UNFCCC). Revive surface water bodies and promote community participation.

• Combat land degradation and desertification across 29 districts.

• Restore ecological balance by increasing green cover and protecting biodiversity.

• Strengthen carbon sequestration under India’s climate commitments (NDC-UNFCCC).

• Revive surface water bodies and promote community participation.

• Key Features:

• 29 districts across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi identified for plantation. 1,000 nurseries to be developed with native species using funds from CAMPA, MNREGA, and state schemes. Focus on agroforestry, pasture development, and rejuvenation of lakes and ponds. Integration with existing missions like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. Promotion of eco-tourism: safaris, trekking, and nature parks to involve local communities. Target: Complete Phase I by 2027 and action plan released during COP16 of UNCCD in Riyadh.

• 29 districts across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi identified for plantation.

• 1,000 nurseries to be developed with native species using funds from CAMPA, MNREGA, and state schemes.

• Focus on agroforestry, pasture development, and rejuvenation of lakes and ponds.

• Integration with existing missions like ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.

• Promotion of eco-tourism: safaris, trekking, and nature parks to involve local communities.

• Target: Complete Phase I by 2027 and action plan released during COP16 of UNCCD in Riyadh.

About the Aravalli Range:

• States Covered:

• Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat (spanning over 670 km).

• Geographical and Ecological Significance:

• One of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world (formed during the Proterozoic Era). Acts as a natural barrier against the spread of the Thar Desert into NCR. Highest peak: Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan (1,722 metres). Source of key rivers: Banas, Sahibi (tributaries of Yamuna), and Luni (flows into Rann of Kutch). Composed of ancient rocks and rich in minerals like copper, zinc, and marble. Divided into two parts: Sambhar–Sirohi range (includes Guru Shikhar). Sambhar–Khetri range (discontinuous ridges).

• One of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world (formed during the Proterozoic Era).

• Acts as a natural barrier against the spread of the Thar Desert into NCR.

• Highest peak: Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan (1,722 metres).

• Source of key rivers: Banas, Sahibi (tributaries of Yamuna), and Luni (flows into Rann of Kutch).

• Composed of ancient rocks and rich in minerals like copper, zinc, and marble.

• Divided into two parts: Sambhar–Sirohi range (includes Guru Shikhar). Sambhar–Khetri range (discontinuous ridges).

• Sambhar–Sirohi range (includes Guru Shikhar).

• Sambhar–Khetri range (discontinuous ridges).