The Rajasthan government has initiated a significant ecological restoration effort, targeting 3,700 hectares across 19 districts along the Aravalli range. This project, a key part of the broader Aravalli Green Development Project, aims to revitalize a deteriorating ecosystem and crucially, to halt the eastward spread of sandstorms from the Thar Desert, thereby protecting the National Capital Region. The initiative involves intensive soil development and extensive plantation activities, strategically selecting climate-resilient native species like Khejri, Babool, and Neem for their drought resistance and ability to enhance groundwater recharge.
This large-scale undertaking aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national Aravalli Green Wall Project, a collaborative effort across four states to combat land degradation. The project is inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall initiative and seeks to establish a substantial green belt along the Aravalli range, which spans Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. The Aravalli range itself has faced significant degradation, with over 25% lost due to mining, deforestation, and encroachment, weakening its natural barrier against desert expansion. Furthermore, groundwater levels in regions like Rajasthan and Haryana are depleting, underscoring the urgency of these restoration efforts. The project also aims to create green jobs and promote sustainable development by involving local communities in afforestation and water conservation activities.