The Indian government is contemplating an ambitious plan. This plan aims to establish a green belt reaching 1,400 km in length and 5 km in width, initiating from Gujarat and terminating at the Delhi-Haryana border. Drawing inspiration from Africa’s ‘Great Green Wall’ project, this initiative will help combat land degradation and the Thar desert’s eastward expansion.
Addressing Land Degradation: The Green Belt Strategy
In light of rising rates of land degradation, the green belt is crucial. It is being planned from Porbandar to Panipat, focusing on restoring the degraded land through afforestation along the Aravali hill range. This green barrier is not just for restoration but also acts as protection against dust from the deserts in western India and Pakistan. The Aravali has been identified as one of the critical degraded zones for greening under India’s target to restore 26 million hectares (Mha) of its land. A report released by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2016 indicated that Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan had already degraded over 50% of their land.
India’s Green Wall: Learning from Africa
The Great Green Wall of Africa is a project designed to rehabilitate Africa’s degraded landscapes and transform lives in the Sahel, one of the world’s poorest regions. Despite being only 15% complete, this African initiative, when completed, will be the planet’s largest living structure – a natural 8,000-km long wonder stretching across the continent. At the UNCCCD COP14, African countries sought global support in terms of finance to make the Wall a reality in the Sahel region by 2030.
| Key Facts about The Great Green Wall of Africa |
|---|
| Location: Sahel region |
| Length (when completed): 8,000 km |
| Current status: 15% complete |
| Completion goal: 2030 |
The Aravali Mountain Range: An Important Green Barrier
The Aravallis, the world’s oldest fold mountains, play a vital role in India’s climate. Spanning over 800km from Gujarat to Delhi via Rajasthan and Haryana, these mountains impact many aspects of Indian weather. Their presence guides monsoon clouds eastwards towards Shimla and Nainital during the rainy season, feeding north Indian plains and nurturing sub-Himalayan rivers. In the winter, they shield fertile alluvial river valleys from Central Asia’s cold winds.
Threats to The Aravali Range and Consequent Challenges
Though integral to India’s climate, the Aravali range is under threat. It has lost so much green cover that it is failing as a natural barrier against the heat and dust from the west. The expansion of the Thar desert could endanger the “granary of India”—the fertile belts of Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and the Malwa region. Unauthorised mining for minerals and building materials has also led to the disappearance of some hills in this region.
The Thar Desert: A Growing Challenge
The Thar or the Great Indian desert lies along the western margins of the Aravali Hills. Mostly comprising sandy plains covered with sand dunes, this region receives rainfall below 150 mm annually. It has a sparse vegetation cover due to its arid climate. The presence of the Luni, the only large river in this region, is a critical resource in this desert landscape.
