Special Workshop on Aravalli Green Wall Project and Natural Climate Solution

Udaipur – Dr. D.N. Pandey, Retired PCCF and senior environmental expert from Rajasthan, asserted that the Aravalli Green Wall Project is a visionary step towards a prosperous future for the biodiversity-rich state of Rajasthan. The state government has shown a proactive approach, making this initiative a significant beginning towards preserving natural ecosystems. He underlined that the project’s prime focus must not only be plantation but the broader goal of ecosystem conservation, to prevent any further ecological degradation.

Dr. Pandey was addressing a special workshop held at Aranya Bhavan Auditorium, Udaipur, jointly organized by the Green People Society and Forest Department of Rajasthan, focusing on the Aravalli Green Wall Project and Natural Climate Solutions.

Through an informative PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Pandey elaborated on the project's key aspects, comparing Rajasthan’s ecological status with other states, highlighting the rich biodiversity of South Rajasthan, and discussing associated challenges and collective responsibilities. He also deliberated on Natural Climate Solutions with present experts, advocating shared responsibility of both government and citizens. He revealed that India has over 1.5 million ponds in 6.6 lakh villages, playing a crucial role in sustaining the ecosystem and emphasized the urgent need to preserve these water sources.

The session began with a welcome address by Green People Society President and retired CCF Rahul Bhatnagar, who also shared insights into the organization’s ongoing activities. Society Vice President and retired IAS Vikram Singh, along with other members and participants, also shared their thoughts. The program was conducted by the society’s Secretary and retired ACF Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Sharad Shrivastava.

Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall

Dr. Pandey informed that the Aravalli Green Wall Project, initiated by the Ministry of Environment, is inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall project. The aim is to restore green cover across Aravalli hills which act as a natural barrier against the spread of desertification from the Thar region to Delhi-NCR and Northern India. The project targets restoration of approximately 1.15 million hectares of forest across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi by 2027.

“It takes 1,000 years to regrow a forest like Arampura”

Dr. Pandey shed light on the forest preservation culture of South Rajasthan, appreciating efforts around areas like Arampura in Pratapgarh. He cautioned that while such forests could be destroyed in a few years, recreating them would take at least a thousand years. He urged the present environmentalists and experts to commit themselves to conserving biodiversity for future generations.

“Badi Lake is Rajasthan’s cleanest lake”

He shared that Udaipur’s Badi Lake is the cleanest in Rajasthan due to its forested surroundings and absence of sewage inflow. However, he raised concerns over growing hotel construction near its banks, warning that any sewage intrusion could cause irreversible damage. He stressed that urban forest conservation is vital, as no city can truly be a “smart city” without urban green spaces.

Key Highlights from the Workshop:

India is a hotspot for threats to tree species, endangering carbon stocks, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

Approximately 11% of large trees mapped in 2010–2011 were lost by 2018, with 5 million more trees vanishing between 2018–2022.

Rajasthan ranks among the top 10 states for potential in Natural Climate Solutions.

The state hosts 375 species in 188 genera in its grasslands.

Grasslands and croplands present immense potential, though invasive species like Lantana and Juliflora pose serious challenges.