The Great Green Wall: Why is India creating a 1,400 km-long forest shield?

Once a formidable natural barrier, the Aravalli range is vanishing. Nearly 20% of this ancient mountain range—one of the oldest in the world—has disappeared due to human and natural causes. What was once a green shield against the creeping sands of the Thar Desert is now fragmented, degraded, and rapidly losing its ecological function. As the Aravallis fall, the desert advances.

Why does this matter?

Because the degradation of the Aravallis is not just a local issue—it's triggering a cascade of environmental crises across northwestern India.

Why do we need the Aravalli Green Wall Project?

Land Degradation & Desertification: India is witnessing alarming levels of land degradation. About 97.85 million hectares—nearly 30% of India’s total land—are degraded. Rajasthan alone contributes 22% to this figure. This crisis is driven by deforestation, illegal mining, overgrazing, and unsustainable farming. Much of this degradation is linked to the damage done to the Aravallis.

Desert Expansion:

The Thar Desert is expanding eastward, threatening fertile land and livelihoods in Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. The Aravalli range was the natural buffer stopping this spread. Its erosion is accelerating desertification, turning green zones into barren dust bowls.

Biodiversity Loss:

The Aravallis are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. As the forests thin out and mining scars deepen, habitats vanish and species disappear. This loss of biodiversity is a warning sign of an ecosystem in collapse.

Climate Change Mitigation:

Forests act as carbon sinks. Reforesting the Aravallis will help India meet its climate goals, capturing carbon and reducing the impact of global warming.

Dust Storms & Air Quality:

Without the Aravallis, dust storms from the Thar and Pakistan sweep into northern India, especially Delhi, worsening air quality and health conditions. A green wall can act as a natural filter.

Water Security:

The disappearance of forest cover has also affected groundwater recharge and water body restoration. Afforestation efforts will aid in drought resilience, improved water quality, and aquifer recharge.

Livelihoods:

The project promotes agroforestry, eco-tourism, and green jobs, especially for women and youth, creating a win-win for both the environment and local communities.

What is the Aravalli Green Wall Project?

A bold ecological initiative, the Aravalli Green Wall Project is India’s answer to the ecological collapse of its frontline defense. Spanning approximately 1,400 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, the project aims to build a massive green barrier to halt the march of the desert.

Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall

This Indian adaptation takes on similar challenges: desertification, land degradation, and climate resilience, with a focus on restoring native ecosystems and empowering communities.

Indian Forests:

A Reality Check Forest Loss: India has lost around 6,000 sq km of forest due to illegal deforestation, especially in the Aravallis—driven by mining, urbanization, and farming.

Degraded Land:

Nearly 97.85 million hectares of land have degraded—2.5 times the size of Rajasthan. Shockingly, over 97.85% of this degradation has occurred in just the last 15 years.

Disappearance of the Aravallis:

A staggering 20% of the Aravalli region is gone, stripping the region of its ecological defenses and enabling the desert’s advance.

Plantation Strategy

The project focuses on native species like dhau, dhak, ronj, gugal, karonda, neem, and peepul—trees that are drought-resistant, ecologically valuable, and culturally significant. These species support local wildlife and restore balance to the region’s fragile ecosystem.

Impact of the Green Wall

The benefits are multi-fold:

• Restored habitats and revived biodiversity
• Better air quality and reduced dust storms
• Strengthened groundwater recharge
• Creation of ecological corridors
• New livelihood opportunities
• Long-term climate resilience
• Challenges Ahead The project must overcome serious hurdles:
• Sustained funding and long-term commitment
• Inter-state coordination and policy support
• Tackling water scarcity
• Community involvement and ensuring their benefits
• Building strong technical capacity for monitoring and execution

Success lies in treating this not as a plantation drive, but as a comprehensive ecological restoration movement.