The Aravallis face severe damage from mining and deforestation. Launched on World Environment Day, the project aims to reverse this decline
India plans to reforest 700 km across four states, replacing alien species with native plants and restoring water bodies
The project will create a 2.5 billion-tonne carbon sink, supporting India’s Paris Agreement goals
Collaboration among governments, civil society, private sector, and locals is key for sustainable reforestation
Illegal mining has degraded over a quarter of the Aravallis, drying rivers and lowering groundwater
The project must end collusion, enforce strict monitoring, and secure lasting political support
The Western Ghats’ decline shows the importance of protection. The Aravalli project must avoid similar errors