New Delhi: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Aravalli Green Wall Project has been prepared and the government is now working on state-wise holistic action plan for taking up restoration activities, said Minister of State (MoS) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In a written response to a question raised in the Lower House of Parliament, Choubey said, “The Detailed Project Report has been prepared and further the preparation of state-wise holistic action plan for taking up restoration activities in Aravalli range is under process in consultation with the State Forest Departments, civil society groups, local communities and relevant private sector. Some area is also being undertaken under Compensatory Afforestation Scheme related to proposal for diversion of forest land for non-forestry activities.”
On the occasion of International Day of Forests on March 25, 2023, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the Aravalli Green Wall Project to revive the Aravallis through various initiatives like single-use plastic ban, water conservation efforts and natural resources protection which will contribute to green the 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range covering Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and part of Delhi NCR.
The overall objectives of the initiative is to improve the ecological health of the Aravalli range and to prevent the eastward expansion of Thar Desert and to reduce land degradation by creating green barriers that will prevent soil erosion, desertification and dust storms. “This will lead to carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change to enhance the biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Aravalli range by planting native tree species, to promote the sustainable development and livelihood opportunities by involving local communities in afforestation, agro-forestry and water conservation activities that will ultimately generate income, employment, food security and social benefits,” said the minister.