Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
Haryana sets 2030 roadmap to save Aravallis: Rao Narbir Singh
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 1, 2026: Haryana Forest and Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Wednesday said the state government has put in place a concrete, time-bound action plan to conserve the Aravalli mountain range by 2030, with work on the ambitious Haryana Aravalli Green Wall Project progressing at full pace.
He said the Aravalli Range serves as the backbone of Haryana’s environmental balance and acts as a natural shield against desertification, land degradation and drought. The project aims to restore degraded landscapes, strengthen biodiversity, improve groundwater recharge and enhance climate resilience across the region.
Highlighting the cultural and historical significance of Haryana, the minister said the state, the cradle of Vedic civilisation and the land of the Bhagavad Gita, is carrying forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of environmental stewardship through initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, which have turned conservation into a people’s movement.
Inspired by this vision, the Haryana government under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has launched several community-driven initiatives, including Oxy Forests, Pran Vayu Devta Yojana and Van Mitra Yojana, to strengthen public participation in Aravalli conservation. These schemes, he said, would play a crucial role in protecting and rejuvenating the fragile ecosystem.
Rao Narbir Singh informed that a proposal has been prepared to provide annual honorariums to farmers for conserving native tree species such as Jati and Rohida in districts including Mahendragarh, Rewari, Narnaul, Charkhi Dadri, Badhra, Loharu and Keru in South Haryana. The move is aimed at maintaining green cover while directly involving local communities in conservation efforts.
Calling the Aravalli Range ecologically invaluable, the minister said it supports biodiversity, water security and livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions, while also improving air quality and mitigating the impacts of climate change. He noted that the range is globally recognised for its cultural and environmental importance, reflecting the age-old bond between humans and nature.
The minister said Haryana is working in close coordination with other Aravalli states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi, under the Green Wall Project. He cited the Gurugram Aravalli Biodiversity Park—declared India’s first Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure (OECM) in line with IUCN guidelines—as a successful model of ecosystem restoration.
To further strengthen grassroots involvement, forest friends have been appointed at the village level to engage youth and generate local employment. Under the Pran Vayu Devta scheme, trees older than 75 years are provided an annual pension of ₹2,500, while Oxy Forests are being developed in urban areas to curb pollution and prevent desertification.
Rao Narbir Singh also welcomed the Supreme Court’s new definition of the Aravalli mountain range, stating that Haryana has prepared a proposal to protect nearly 90 per cent of the Aravalli region. He said the government’s broader objective is to create green employment, boost public participation and ensure sustainable, eco-friendly management of natural resources across the Aravalli landscape.