Green Wall Project
The Green Wall Project is an ambitious ecological restoration initiative undertaken in India to combat land degradation, desertification, and biodiversity loss by developing a continuous green belt of vegetation across the country’s arid and semi-arid regions. Inspired by the Great Green Wall of Africa, the project envisions creating a natural barrier of trees and vegetation stretching from Porbandar in Gujarat to Panipat in Haryana, roughly along the Aravalli hill range. The aim is to restore degraded landscapes, improve ecosystem services, and strengthen India’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Background and Concept
India faces growing challenges of deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification, particularly in states bordering the Thar Desert and along the Aravalli range. Studies by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) indicate that nearly 30% of India’s total geographical area is undergoing some form of land degradation.
In response, the Green Wall Project of India was conceptualised around 2020 as part of India’s broader strategy to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, a goal declared at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of Parties (COP-14) hosted by India in New Delhi in 2019.
The project takes inspiration from the African Great Green Wall Initiative (GGWI)—a pan-African effort to restore degraded land across the Sahel region. India’s version adapts this idea to local ecological conditions, focusing on restoring forests, wetlands, and grasslands while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Objectives of the Green Wall Project
The Green Wall Project seeks to address both environmental and socio-economic challenges in India’s vulnerable regions. Its main objectives include:
- Combating Desertification: Arresting the spread of desert conditions in the Thar Desert and adjoining semi-arid zones.
- Land Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded land, wastelands, and deforested areas through large-scale afforestation.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Creating ecological corridors to protect native flora and fauna, particularly in the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Enhancing carbon sequestration through tree planting and soil restoration.
- Water Security: Improving groundwater recharge and watershed management through soil conservation measures.
- Rural Livelihoods: Generating employment opportunities and sustainable income sources through forestry, agroforestry, and eco-tourism.
- Ecological Connectivity: Linking fragmented habitats and enhancing resilience of ecosystems to drought and temperature extremes.
Geographical Scope
The proposed Green Wall of India aims to extend from Porbandar in Gujarat to Panipat in Haryana, covering a distance of nearly 1,400 kilometres and passing through parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Gujarat.
Key regions likely to be included:
- Aravalli Range: Stretching from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Delhi and Haryana, forming the ecological spine of northwestern India.
- Thar Desert Margins: Buffer zones in western Rajasthan where desertification is advancing rapidly.
- Semi-Arid Tracts: Dryland areas in Gujarat and southern Haryana prone to wind erosion and deforestation.
The corridor will serve as a green ecological buffer, protecting fertile plains and urban areas from the encroachment of desert sand and dust storms while stabilising soils and microclimates.
Implementation Strategy
The Green Wall Project is designed as a multi-stakeholder, multi-phase programme under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with state governments, local communities, and research institutions.
Key components of implementation include:
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Afforestation and Reforestation:
- Large-scale planting of indigenous tree species adapted to arid conditions (e.g., khejri, neem, babul, and acacia).
- Development of shelterbelts and windbreaks to reduce erosion.
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Soil and Water Conservation:
- Construction of check dams, contour bunding, and percolation tanks to enhance soil moisture and groundwater recharge.
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Agroforestry and Community Participation:
- Encouraging farmers to integrate trees into agricultural landscapes for shade, soil fertility, and income diversification.
- Involving local communities and NGOs in planning, planting, and maintenance to ensure long-term success.
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Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems:
- Rejuvenation of mined areas, abandoned farmlands, and degraded forest lands.
- Protection of wildlife corridors to enhance biodiversity connectivity.
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Monitoring and Technology Use:
- Employing satellite mapping, remote sensing, and GIS to identify priority zones and monitor restoration progress.
Institutional Framework
The Green Wall Project is being implemented under India’s commitment to international environmental frameworks such as:
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
- Paris Agreement on Climate Change
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The project aligns with national programmes such as:
- National Afforestation Programme (NAP)
- National Mission for a Green India (GIM) under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) initiatives
These integrated frameworks ensure financial and institutional support for afforestation, soil restoration, and livelihood generation.
Expected Benefits
The Green Wall Project is expected to produce wide-ranging environmental, economic, and social benefits:
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Environmental Benefits:
- Reduced land degradation and prevention of desert expansion.
- Enhanced soil fertility and carbon sequestration.
- Improved air quality and reduction in dust storms in northern India.
- Conservation of native plant and animal species.
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Economic Benefits:
- Creation of rural employment through plantation and eco-restoration activities.
- Boost to agroforestry and sustainable forest-based enterprises.
- Enhanced productivity of land and water resources.
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Social Benefits:
- Strengthened community participation in environmental conservation.
- Improved rural livelihoods and reduced climate-induced migration.
- Promotion of environmental education and awareness.
Challenges and Concerns
While the Green Wall Project offers significant promise, it also faces several challenges:
- Land Availability: Securing continuous land for afforestation without disrupting agriculture or habitation.
- Water Scarcity: Ensuring adequate water for tree plantations in arid regions.
- Maintenance and Survival Rate: Sustaining planted trees over the long term, especially under extreme climatic conditions.
- Funding and Coordination: Mobilising adequate financial resources and coordinating multiple administrative agencies.
- Community Engagement: Achieving local cooperation and long-term stewardship for afforested areas.
Effective implementation will require sustained political commitment, scientific planning, and community ownership.
Significance and Global Linkages
The Green Wall Project symbolises India’s commitment to sustainable development and ecological restoration. It contributes directly to the nation’s targets under the UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) goals and Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).
By restoring degraded landscapes and creating climate-resilient ecosystems, the project aligns with global initiatives such as:
- The Great Green Wall of Africa (spanning from Senegal to Djibouti).
- The Bonn Challenge (to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land globally by 2030).
- UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).
