Aravalli Green Wall project: India’s ambitious climate mission faces long road ahead

India’s Aravalli Green Wall project is emerging as one of the country’s most ambitious environmental restoration efforts, aiming to revive degraded landscapes and strengthen climate resilience across four states.

Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative, the project proposes a 1,400-kilometre-long and five-kilometre-wide green belt along the Aravalli range. The initiative supports India’s carbon sink goals while helping reduce land degradation and limiting dust movement from western India and neighbouring regions.

Environmental experts say the challenge extends far beyond planting trees. Successful restoration will require decades of sustained government commitment, continuous funding and protection of young saplings from human and livestock pressure.

Specialists also stress the importance of planting native species suited to local ecosystems across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.

Environmentalists add that conservation efforts must also address deforestation, mining and excavation to deliver lasting ecological impact.