What is the Aravalli Green Wall project?

The Aravalli Green Wall project is a government initiative focused on restoring and greening degraded landscapes across the Aravalli range.

What environmental issues are affecting the Aravallis in Gurgaon?

The Aravalli landscape in Gurgaon is experiencing shrinking forest and agricultural cover, a rise in built-up areas, and the loss of water bodies.

What are the key findings of the Aravalli pilot study?

The study found significant land-use conversion, a 20% loss of water bodies in a decade, and increased water stress due to rapid urbanization.

Home / Environment / Aravalli Green Wall: A Race Against Urban Decay

Aravalli Green Wall: A Race Against Urban Decay

14 Jan

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Summary

Aravalli landscape faces degradation: shrinking forests and water bodies.
Urbanization leads to significant agricultural and forest land decrease.
Water bodies lost 20% in a decade, increasing water scarcity concerns.

Aravalli Green Wall: A Race Against Urban Decay

A new pilot study has revealed significant environmental degradation in the Aravalli landscape of southern Gurgaon over the past decade. Forest cover has diminished by 114 hectares, and agricultural land has decreased by 429 hectares, indicating intense pressure on natural vegetation. This decline is juxtaposed with a substantial 323-hectare expansion of built-up areas, reflecting rapid peri-urban development.

The eco-restoration plan, supported by the Embassy of Denmark and implemented by Sankala Foundation, assessed four villages in southern Haryana. Findings underscore a concerning 20% loss of water bodies between 2014 and 2024, with seven out of 41 ponds disappearing. Encroachments on natural drainage systems have worsened water scarcity and impacted groundwater availability.