Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday reiterated the NDA government’s firm commitment to conserving the Aravalli region, describing the hills as both ecologically critical and historically significant. Speaking at a national conference on “Eco-restoration of the Aravalli Landscape: Strengthening the Aravalli Green Wall,” he emphasized his personal connection to the region and the government’s initiatives for its long-term preservation.

The Aravalli hills, stretching across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, are among India’s oldest geological formations and play a crucial role in preventing desertification while supporting biodiversity and groundwater recharge. Yadav highlighted that state governments have recognised their importance across 37 districts, with measures being implemented to restore degraded land.

Under the Aravalli Green Wall Project, part of India’s commitment to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, 6.45 million hectares of degraded land have been identified, with over 2.7 million hectares already undergoing greening work. Divisional Forest Officers from 29 districts are planting native species suited to arid and semi-arid conditions to ensure ecological sustainability.

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Yadav also noted that around 97 square kilometres of degraded revenue land in Haryana have been declared Protected Forests to strengthen conservation efforts. “This is the largest afforestation and protection policy intervention in the Aravallis after Independence, made possible under the vision of the Prime Minister and with state support,” he said.

Citing the broader ecological importance of the region, Yadav underscored that the Aravalli ecosystem is home to four tiger reserves and 18 protected areas, and India leads globally in wildlife conservation, with nearly 70 per cent of the world’s tiger population. He emphasized that restoration efforts are being carried out with a balance between ecological stability and development goals.

The conference also saw the release of a report by the Sankala Foundation providing a scientific, community-driven framework for restoring the Aravallis. Experts and officials highlighted the need for landscape-scale, multidisciplinary restoration efforts that go beyond mere plantation drives, ensuring plant survival, ecological appropriateness, and sustainable benefits for local communities.

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