While launching the Action Plan, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change exhorted all stakeholders across the four States to adopt a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach in the restoration of the Aravallis.
- Aravallis have been facing concerns related to forest degradation, animal displacement, illegal mining, etc.
About the Action Plan
- It outlines a science-based, community-led, and policy-supported roadmap to restore the ecological integrity of the Aravallis.
About Aravallis
- It is one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world and predates the formation of the Himalayan ranges.
- Located in the north-western part of India and stretches from Gujrat to Delhi through Rajasthan and Haryana, with a length close to 692 Km.
- It is crucial in the monsoon cycle of India and serves to regulate the country's temperature.
- It also acts as a barrier, preventing the Thar Desert from creeping into the agricultural regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Initiatives taken to protect Aravallis
- Aravalli Green Wall Project: An initiative to green 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in four states.
- State Government Measures: 2016 Haryana government notification declared Mangar Bani area (part of Aravalli) a "no-construction zone".
- MC Mehta v. Union of India Case: In a series of judgments, Supreme Court prohibited and banned mining activities in the entire Aravalli hills.
