Green wall projects, inspired by the African Union’s 2007 initiative, aim to combat desertification. India has adopted a similar plan across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, facing challenges like funding and coordination.

African Union’s Green Wall Project (2007)

• Tree Plantation Across 8,000 km to Combat Desertification: Aimed to plant trees across 8,000 km through 11 countries to combat desertification.
• Shift in Project Approach to a Mosaic Model: Goal completion by 2030, but the project shifted to a mosaic approach (forest, farmland, grassland).
• Revised Afforestation Target and Challenges: Afforestation target reduced to 100 million hectares, but challenges include funding and coordination.
• Progress Update on Physical Target Achievement: 18% of the physical target achieved.

UN CoP 16 (2024)

• Global Pledge for Land Restoration and Drought Resilience: 200 countries pledged to prioritize land restoration and drought resilience.
• Aim: Mitigate land degradation and ensure access to food, water, shelter, and economic opportunities.

India’s Green Wall Initiative (2024)

• Plan to Create a Green Wall Across Multiple States: Plan to create a 1,400 km green wall across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Components of the Green Wall Project: Will include natural forests, plantations, restored agricultural land, pastureland, and water bodies.
• Inspiration from Africa’s Great Green Wall: Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall, it aims to reforest 1.15 million hectares by 2027.
• Project Cost and Funding Breakdown: ₹7,500 crores, with 78% funded by the Centre and 20% by states.

Environmental and Geographical Impact

• Role of Aravalli Hills in Desertification Protection: Aravalli Hills provide protection from desertification and regulate climate.
• Impact of Deforestation and Urbanization in Delhi NCR: Deforestation, stone mining, and urbanization have caused pollution and extreme weather in Delhi NCR.

India’s Environmental Commitment (Paris Climate Accord)

• Commitment to Afforest Degraded Lands by 2030: Committed to afforesting 26 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030.
• Goal: Add 2 gigatons of carbon sequestration potential by 2030.
• Challenges in afforesting Degraded Lands: Due to administrative complexities and land ownership issues.

Project Challenges

• Not Focused on Conservation: Degraded lands under Revenue Department control, which is not focused on conservation.
• Complications with Land Ownership and Cooperation: Private land ownership along the proposed green wall complicates land acquisition or cooperation.
• Coordination Issues Between Government Departments: Coordination challenges between Forest and Revenue Departments.
• Need for District-Level Progress Monitoring: Monitoring progress and breaking down targets at district levels remain unaddressed.

Project Implementation

• Importance of Coordination, Seedlings, and Planning: Requires strict coordination, quality seedlings, and careful planning to meet the 2027 target.
• Alignment with Monsoon Season for Plantation Success: Nursery and planting schedules need to align with the monsoon season for best success.
• Addressing Flooding and Drought Risks: Need to address flooding and drought risks impacting plantation success.
• Learning from Past Failures to Improve Future Outcomes: Learning from past plantation failures is critical for improving outcomes.

Conclusion

The success of these projects hinges on overcoming key challenges. If implemented effectively, they could significantly aid land restoration and climate change mitigation.