At the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, India presented the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP).

About the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP)

• The AGWP is a large-scale afforestation initiative launched in 2019 by the Indian government to restore degraded land in the Aravalli Range.
• Inspiration: Inspired by the Great Green Wall initiative in Africa. It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Geographic Scope:
  • Aims to green a 5 km buffer zone around the Aravalli Hill Range.
  • Covers states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.
• Objectives:
• • Restore degraded land: Restore 1.15 million hectares of degraded land by 2027.
  • Combat desertification: Prevent the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert and reduce land degradation.
  • Improve ecological health: Enhance the biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Aravalli range.
  • Mitigate climate change: Sequester carbon and improve air quality.
  • Conserve water resources: Improve water quality and quantity through groundwater recharge and soil moisture conservation.
  • Create green jobs: Generate employment opportunities in afforestation, conservation, and related activities.
  • Community engagement: Involve local communities in the project to ensure sustainability.

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About Aravalli Range

• It is an old Fold Mountain Range formed during the Precambrian Era, making it one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
• Extent: Stretches across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat , Haryana, and Delhi.
• Highest Point: Guru Shikhar in Rajasthan is the highest peak.
• River System: The Aravalli Range plays a significant role in India’s river system.
  • Rivers like the Yamuna, Luni, and Sahibi flow through these hills.
• Current Status:
  • Due to extensive erosion over millions of years, the range is now relatively low-lying.
  • It is an important ecological region, supporting diverse flora and fauna.
  • The range faces challenges like deforestation, mining, and urbanization.
  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect its biodiversity and ecological significance.

About The Great Green Wall Initiative

• The Great Green Wall is a massive African-led initiative aimed at combating desertification and restoring degraded land across the African continent.
• Establishment: The initiative was launched in 2007 by the African Union with the goal of planting a wall of trees across the entire width of the continent, from Senegal to Djibouti.
• Objective: The primary objective is to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land, create millions of green jobs, and improve the livelihoods of millions of people.
• Impact: The Great Green Wall is expected to have a significant impact on climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and food security. It will help to sequester carbon, protect water resources, and improve soil fertility.

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About United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

• The UNCCD is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.
• Establishment: The UNCCD was adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 1996.
  • It is one of the three Rio Conventions, alongside the UNFCCC and the CBD.
• Parties to the Convention: There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union.
  • India is one of the initial Parties of the Convention.
• Objective: The UNCCD aims to combat desertification and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought.
  • It focuses on the drylands, which cover over 40% of the Earth’s land surface.
  • It promotes sustainable land management practices.
  • It supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• UNCCD COP 16
  • Theme: Our Land. Our Future.
  • Key Focus Areas:
    • Accelerating land restoration
    • Boosting drought preparedness, response, and resilience
    • Ensuring land continues to provide climate and biodiversity solutions
    • Boosting resilience to sand and dust storm