World Environment Day: Major Initiative Launched to Restore Degraded Land in the Aravalli Range

On the occasion of World Environment Day, a landmark environmental initiative was launched in India aimed at restoring large swathes of degraded land in the Aravalli range. This project, which marks a significant step in India’s commitment to sustainable development and ecological conservation, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Aravalli range, one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, and has long been under threat from deforestation, mining, and urbanization. The launch of this project is seen as an urgent and necessary intervention to revitalize a landscape that plays a crucial ecological role for millions of people in northern India.

The focus of the initiative is to rejuvenate approximately 75 water bodies and degraded land areas spread across 75 districts, a symbolic nod to the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav campaign celebrating 75 years of India’s independence. The restoration plan emphasizes the importance of bringing back the ecological balance in the Aravalli region by implementing nature-based solutions and community-led interventions. The initiative aims to counter desertification, promote biodiversity, enhance water conservation, and ultimately improve the livelihoods of local communities dependent on the land.

The Aravalli range serves as a vital green barrier against desertification, particularly shielding the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains from the advancing Thar Desert. However, decades of unchecked mining, deforestation, and infrastructure development have left large portions of this natural defense system in tatters. The newly launched initiative addresses these concerns by setting in motion a multi-pronged strategy involving afforestation, water conservation, soil improvement, and the protection of existing forest ecosystems.

One of the key aspects of this campaign is the active involvement of local communities, including farmers, panchayats, school students, and voluntary organizations. The government is placing significant emphasis on public participation to ensure that restoration efforts are sustainable and deeply rooted in the needs of the people who inhabit these ecologically fragile zones. Capacity-building workshops, awareness drives, and school programs are being planned to educate and engage the public on the importance of restoring the Aravalli ecosystem.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with other allied departments and state governments, will coordinate efforts to monitor and evaluate the progress of the restoration activities. A robust data collection and GIS-based tracking mechanism is being set up to ensure transparency and scientific integrity in the implementation process. Environmentalists have welcomed this move, pointing out that it reflects an increasing alignment between policy-making and environmental science.

Water management forms another critical pillar of the restoration initiative. Many water bodies in the Aravalli region have dried up or become severely polluted due to unregulated development and waste dumping. Under this initiative, desilting of ponds, rejuvenation of stepwells, check dam construction, and rainwater harvesting structures will be taken up on priority. Restoring water bodies not only aids in water conservation but also supports wildlife, agriculture, and groundwater recharge—each essential for the long-term sustainability of the region.

Afforestation is also a major goal under this initiative. Native species of trees and shrubs, which are naturally suited to the semi-arid climate of the Aravalli region, will be planted extensively. These species, including dhok, babool, khejri, and ber, are known for their ability to survive in harsh conditions and provide ecological as well as economic benefits. Nurseries are being developed across various states to support the large-scale plantation drive, and locals are being trained to maintain saplings and ensure their survival beyond the monsoon season.

The project also integrates the principles of climate resilience and carbon sequestration. By regenerating forests and increasing green cover, the initiative aims to create natural carbon sinks that will help in mitigating climate change impacts. The restoration of the Aravalli range is particularly critical as rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and recurring droughts continue to impact agriculture and water availability in northern India.

In addition to ecological benefits, the restoration project is expected to generate green jobs and boost eco-tourism in the region. Employment opportunities will arise through the establishment of nurseries, plantation activities, construction of water structures, and forest monitoring tasks. Skill development programs are being rolled out to train youth and women in these eco-restoration techniques, thereby contributing to both environmental conservation and social welfare.

The program’s educational component is equally vital. School and college students are being encouraged to participate in plantation drives, biodiversity documentation, and local environmental audits. Campaigns will include essay writing competitions, exhibitions, nature walks, and green campus initiatives to foster a culture of ecological responsibility among younger generations. The government is working in coordination with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the environmental curriculum is enriched to reflect these real-world conservation efforts.

India has already pledged to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge, a global effort to revive deforested and degraded lands. The Aravalli restoration project is a key component of that commitment. Experts believe that restoring the Aravallis can significantly contribute to achieving India’s land degradation neutrality targets and enhance its global leadership in environmental stewardship.

The project also addresses the threat posed by illegal mining in the Aravalli region. Recent years have seen a growing concern about the extraction of minerals and stones, which not only destroys the ecosystem but also leads to groundwater depletion and air pollution. The restoration initiative seeks to strengthen enforcement against illegal activities while promoting alternative livelihoods for those economically dependent on mining. Promoting sustainable practices such as agroforestry, ecotourism, and handicrafts is part of the larger strategy to transition communities away from environmentally damaging livelihoods.

The ecological revival of the Aravalli range will have far-reaching implications for biodiversity. The hills are home to several endangered species of flora and fauna, including leopards, hyenas, pangolins, and a rich variety of birds and reptiles. By reviving these habitats, the initiative aims to stabilize local ecosystems, maintain genetic diversity, and contribute to national biodiversity conservation goals.

Another important element of the project is the role of women in environmental stewardship. Women’s self-help groups are being integrated into the restoration process, tasked with nursery management, sapling distribution, water conservation efforts, and eco-awareness campaigns. This approach not only empowers women economically but also ensures more inclusive participation in environmental governance.

To ensure the long-term success of the initiative, scientific research and traditional ecological knowledge are being brought together. Local communities, particularly those with indigenous knowledge of land management and water conservation, are being consulted and their practices documented. Blending modern science with traditional wisdom is seen as essential to designing solutions that are effective, sustainable, and culturally relevant.

The initiative is also being aligned with broader urban planning and development policies. Restoration zones are being demarcated near expanding urban areas to act as green buffers that can help manage pollution, improve air quality, and serve as natural recreation spaces. As urban sprawl continues to threaten ecologically sensitive zones, these green barriers will become increasingly important for maintaining ecological health in peri-urban landscapes.

By positioning the restoration of the Aravallis as a national priority on World Environment Day, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to ecological renewal and sustainable development. The integration of conservation, community empowerment, and climate action under this initiative makes it one of the most ambitious and comprehensive environmental programs launched in recent years. The spotlight now turns to the implementation phase, where coordination, transparency, and sustained effort will be key to restoring life to one of India’s most critical ecological frontiers.