Great Green Wall of Aravalli

The Great Green Wall of Aravalli is an ambitious ecological restoration and climate-resilience project launched by the Indian government, modeled on Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative.


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🌿 What is the Great Green Wall of Aravalli?

It is a massive afforestation and re-greening campaign stretching along the Aravalli mountain range, aiming to combat:

Desertification from the Thar desert,

Air pollution in Delhi and surrounding regions,

Loss of biodiversity and groundwater depletion.



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📍 Key Facts:

Feature Details

🌍 Location Aravalli hills across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi
📏 Planned Length 700 km (east to west)
🌱 Target Trees 1.35 billion native species
📆 Timeline 2025–2027 (Phase I started June 2025)
🎯 Goals Carbon sink, biodiversity revival, eco-tourism, water recharge



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🌳 Components of the Project:

1. Tree Plantation:

Native, drought-resistant, and medicinal plants (e.g., neem, khejri, banyan).

Involvement of local communities, schools, and NGOs under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” mission.



2. Eco-Development:

Wildlife corridors

Safari parks

Eco-tourism trails

Native plant nurseries



3. Sustainability Infrastructure:

Rainwater harvesting

Rejuvenation of dry ponds and groundwater recharge

Solar-powered community centers





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📸 Recent Progress (as of July 2025):

Phase I includes large-scale plantations near Gurugram, Alwar, and Jaipur.

Partnerships with corporates and civil society for CSR participation.

Over 20 million saplings already planted in the first month.



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🔍 Why It Matters:

The Aravallis are over 3 billion years old, yet only 7% forest cover remains in many stretches.

The project will create a green barrier against desertification creeping from western Rajasthan into fertile Indo-Gangetic plains.

Can reduce PM2.5 air pollution and serve as a climate buffer for Delhi-NCR.



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🧭 Challenges:

Land-use conflicts and encroachments

Protection from illegal mining

Long-term maintenance and survival of plantations

Ensuring community stewardship and scientific monitoring
Here is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, designed to give a clear, concise overview of the initiative:


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🌳 Great Green Wall of Aravalli – FAQ


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❓1. What is the Great Green Wall of Aravalli?

Answer:
It is a large-scale ecological restoration project launched by the Indian government to plant 1.35 billion trees over a 700 km stretch of the Aravalli mountain range. Its goal is to combat desertification, air pollution, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.


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❓2. Where is it being implemented?

Answer:
The project spans the Aravalli hills across four states:

Rajasthan

Haryana

Gujarat

Delhi (southern ridge)



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❓3. What is the timeline?

Answer:

Launch: June 5, 2025 (World Environment Day)

Completion target: 2027 (Phase I)

The project will continue in phases with adaptive monitoring.



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❓4. What are the goals of the project?

Answer:

Prevent the spread of the Thar desert eastward

Improve air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR)

Restore groundwater and natural habitats

Boost eco-tourism and livelihoods

Strengthen India’s climate resilience



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❓5. What types of trees are being planted?

Answer:
Mostly native and climate-resilient species, such as:

Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Khejri (Prosopis cineraria)

Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)

Jamun (Syzygium cumini)

Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana)



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❓6. How does this help Delhi’s pollution problem?

Answer:
The Aravallis act as a natural barrier to dust storms and particulate matter from western India. Re-greening will:

Trap PM2.5 particles

Lower summer temperatures

Reduce dust flow into Delhi-NCR



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❓7. Who is responsible for the project?

Answer:

Coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

In partnership with state forest departments, local communities, and private CSR funding



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❓8. How is it being funded?

Answer:
Through a combination of:

Government budget (CAMPA funds)

CSR contributions

NGO partnerships

Community involvement (via campaigns like "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam")



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❓9. What are the challenges?

Answer:

Land encroachment and illegal mining

Survival rate of saplings due to poor rainfall or grazing

Ensuring long-term care and protection

Preventing greenwashing and ensuring scientific monitoring



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❓10. How can citizens get involved?

Answer:

Join local plantation drives

Sponsor saplings via government/NGO platforms

Volunteer for awareness and monitoring

Advocate for Aravalli protection in urban planning