Climate change is not only an environmental crisis today, but it is also becoming a major cause of social, economic and health problems. In a developing country like India, where population pressure and urbanization are increasing rapidly, the effects of climate change can be even more serious. In such a situation, it becomes necessary that we take concrete steps towards conservation and restoration of natural resources. In this context, the hypothesis of “Aravalli Green Wall” has been revealed. This initiative is not only an important step towards environmental protection, but it also presents a permanent solution to deal with climate change. Let us know in detail what is the Aravalli Green Wall, why it was needed, how it will work, and what can be its effect.
Retired PCCF and senior environmental expert Dr. DN Pandey of Rajasthan said that the Aravalli Green Wall Project is an ambitious project of our pleasant future for biodiversity -rich Rajasthan. The state government is also sensitive on this and is a big beginning of conservation of nature and natural systems. Our top priority with plantation in the project should be to save the ecosystem so that worse conditions do not arise.
Aravalli Green Wall Project Introduction:
It includes 1,400 km long and 5 km around the Aravalli mountain range, incorporating the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi. Wide green belt is an ambitious plan to make buffer. In the first phase, 75 water bodies will be rejuvenated, which will begin with five water bodies in each district of the Aravalli landscape. It will include the landed land in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Rewari districts of Haryana. The scheme is inspired by Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ project, which is detailed from Senegal (West) to Djibouti (East), it was implemented in the year 2007.
Objective:
The widespread objective of India’s Green Wall Project is to control the rising rates of land erosion and east of the Thar Desert. Green strip is being planned from Porbandar to Panipat, which will help in restoring barren land through afforestation in the Aravalli mountain range. It will also serve as an inhibitory for dust coming from the desert of western India and Pakistan. Its purpose is to develop the biodiversity and ecosystem of the Aravalli chain by planting trees, which will help in carbon separation, provide housing for wildlife and improve water quality and quantity. The participation of local communities in afforestation, agriculture-diligent and water conservation activities can promote sustainable development. In addition, it will help in generating income and employment opportunities, improving food security and providing social benefits.
Effect on climate:
Aravali has an impact on North-Western India and beyond climate. During the monsoon, the mountain range gradually leads the monsoon clouds towards Shimla and Nainital, thus it helps to nurture sub-Himalayan rivers and provide fertility to North Indian grounds. In the winter months, this fertile alluvial river valleys (cross-sand and Ganges) protect them from the attack of cold western winds coming from Central Asia. This fertile alluvial river valleys (Indus and Ganga) prevents the cold western winds from Central Asia during the winter months.
Climate change challenge
The effects of climate change are now clearly visible:
Excessive increase in temperature, irregular rainfall, unseasonal floods and droughts, drying of water bodies.
All these directly affect agriculture, public health and local ecosystems. Especially in a state like Rajasthan, where water scarcity and drought are already common problems, the effects of climate change are even more serious. Dr. Pandey was addressing a special workshop organized on the subject of Aravali Green Wall Project and Natural Climate Solution under the aegis of Green People Society and Forest Department Rajasthan in Aranya Bhawan Auditorium of Udaipur. On this occasion, he discussed various aspects of the project through the Power Point Presentation, as well as the state of Rajasthan, the rich biodiversity of South Rajasthan, the rich biodiversity, challenges and our responsibilities to save this biodiversity.
Along with this, discussed with experts present on the natural climate solution. He also said that every person of Rajasthan as well as Rajasthan is responsible for this entire work. He said that there are more than 15 lakh ponds in 6.6 lakh villages of the country which are giving life to our ecosystem. He also emphasized the need for conservation of these water sources as a natural climate solution. Initially, President of Green People Society and retired CCF Rahul Bhatnagar welcomed the keynote speaker Dr. Pandey and informed about the work being done by the society. On this occasion, members and participants of the Society including Vice President of Society and retired IAS Vikram Singh expressed their views on various topics. The program was conducted by Managing Secretary and retired ACF Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma, while the vote of thanks was done by Sharad Srivastava.
Aravalli Green Wall Project Inspired by Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ project: Dr. Pandey said that the Aravalli Green Wall Project of the Union Ministry of Environment is inspired by Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ project. Its purpose is to restore the green cover on the hills, which is the only obstacle to prevent the expansion of a desert-like status from Thar to North India including Delhi-NCR. The project aims to restore about 1.15 million hectares of forest area in four states Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi by the year 2027.
It will take one thousand years to develop new forests like Arampura: Dr. Pandey highlighted the fact of forest conservation culture in South Rajasthan and expressed satisfaction that if the dense forest like Arampura area in our Pratapgarh is to be destroyed, it will take a few years, but if such a forest is to be developed again, it will take at least a thousand years. He appealed to the environmentalists and experts present that it is very important to make efforts towards the preservation of biodiversity available for the golden generation.
The cleanest lake in Rajasthan is ‘Badi Lake’: Dr. Pandey said that the big lake located in the city of lakes is the cleanest lake in Rajasthan, because it is surrounded by the forest and there is no sewage here. He expressed concern that hotels are being built around it and if the sewage reaches it, no one will be able to stop its destruction. He also said that conservation and development of urban forests is necessary, because no city can become a smart city without urban forest.
These topics were also highlighted: Dr. Pandey disclosed various facts and said that India is a center of many threats for the tree species and thus carbon, biodiversity and livelihood are in danger. He said that about 11 percent of the big trees identified in India in 2010-2011 disappeared by 2018. In addition, more than 5 million large trees have also disappeared during the duration of 2018-2022. He said that Rajasthan is among the top 10 states in terms of natural climate solution. He said that in terms of vegetation of grasslands, 375 species of 188 dynasties exist in Rajasthan. He said that crop land and grass land in Rajasthan has the most potential, but Lentana and Juliflora are a big challenge for us.
Why in the discussion?
The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change inaugurated the Aravalli Green Wall Project on the occasion of International One Day, as well as unveiling the National Action Plan to resolve the problem of desert and land erosion through forestry interventions.
Benefits of Aravalli Haryali wall
With the development of forests, the environment of this region will get new life and green areas will be large producers of oxygen and will absorb carbon dioxide on a large scale. The objective of the project is to make the Aravalli region healthy in terms of ecology and biodiversity, as well as to store rain or ground water in this strip and forest plantation, agricultural-retirement and water conservation activities will help surrounding people around providing social benefits with new opportunities for income and employment. It is a tough challenge to prevent the spread of the resolution of the United Nations to stop land erosion by 2030. The project will be connected through greenery from Porbandar in Gujarat to Panipat in Haryana. At a time when the countries of the world including India are plagued by desertization, then this project will prove to be beneficial in the ecosystem balance.
Challenging in the way of preventing desertization
The processes of land pollution, industrialization and urbanization contribute significantly in making the land barren. Forest harvesting, uncontrolled agriculture, mining, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the fields, neglect of crop cycle, excessive exploitation of groundwater are also making land barren. This problem often takes permanent form and affects the economy and society of a region deeply. According to an estimate, one -third of India’s land is in the grip of erosion, causing a loss of 2.5 percent in India’s gross product every year. Quality is steadily declining due to increasing population and increasing demand. According to the United Nations, every year 24 billion tonnes of fertile soils become barren. Thus land erosion is not only a major environmental problem, but it is also a source of many other economic and social crises. According to a United Nations survey, food supply increases by up to 30 percent due to effects on grain production due to land erosion. If this continues, crop production may fall by 10 percent by the year 2050.
Challenging in Aravalli Green Wall
Selection of tree species suitable for planting in specified project areas is a major challenge to ensure their survival. This project can also be affected by lack of finance and political stability is also an important link, as this project is related to three states and one union territory and its progress and success can be affected by the attitude of the projects of these states.
conclusion
“Aravalli Green Wall” is not only an environmental project, but it can become a social movement. If it is implemented correctly, it will not only help in reducing the dangers of climate change, but will also raise the standard of living of millions of people. This project can become an inspiration – can show how development is possible by maintaining balance between humans and nature. When the government, society and general public work together for a purpose, it is possible to solve any challenge. The Aravalli Green Wall is not a greenery wall, but the wall of future security – which we have to strengthen together. The Green Wall is part of a large investment, which will benefit many generations to come and develop saplings in the field and develop forests will give new life to the environment. To prevent land erosion, we have to establish a close relationship with nature and curb such human activities that damage the land as well as the environment and the construction of a green wall will prove to be a milestone in this direction.
