Draft:Aravali Green Wall Project

Aravali Green Wall Project is an initiative launched by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India to combat land Environmental degradation and desertification. It aims to create a 1,400km long and 5km wide green belt buffer around the Aravali Mountain range, covering states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.

Districts to be covered by Aravalli Green Wall

 * Delhi: Most part of degraded patches in the Delhi Capital
 * Gujarat: Banaskantha, Mahesana and Sabarkantha
 * Haryana: Bhiwani, Faridabad, Gurugram, Mahendragarh and Rewari
 * Rajasthan: Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Dausa, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Karauli, Nagaur, Pali, Rajasamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi and Udaipur

Background
According to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), approximately 97.85 million hectares (29.7%) of India's total geographical area underwent land degradation during 2018-19. The Aravali has been identified as one of the key degraded zones to be taken up for greening under India's target to restore 26 million hectares of its land.

Objectives
The objectives of the Aravali Green Wall Project include:
 * Improving the ecological health of the Aravalli range
 * Preventing eastward expansion of Thar Desert
 * Reducing land degradation by creating green barriers
 * Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services
 * Promoting sustainable development and livelihood opportunities
 * Contributing to India's commitments under international conventions such as UNCCD, CBD, and UNFCCC

Benefits
The Aravali Green Wall Project will:
 * Increase green cover and biodiversity
 * Improve soil fertility and water availability
 * Enhance climate resilience
 * Provide employment opportunities and income generation for local communities
 * Protect NCR of Delhi from sand and dust storms and pollution