Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to

state:

(a) the manner in which the Aravali Green Wall Project will contribute in combating land

degradation and desertification;

(b) the projects undertaken and their current status under the Aravali Green Wall Project

with special reference to Haryana;

(c) whether it is a fact that 66 water bodies would be developed in various districts of

Haryana including Bhiwani; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

(a)& (b) The Ministry announced the Aravalli Green Wall project to restore the

Aravallis landscape through various initiatives like afforestation with native tree species,

water conservation measures, natural resources protection, single-use plastic ban etc, to

green the 5km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan

and Part of Delhi NCR. The overall objectives of the initiative is to improve the

ecological health of the Aravalli range and to prevent eastward expansion of Thar Desert

and to reduce land degradation by creating green barriers that will prevent soil erosion,

desertification and dust storms. This initiative will also lead to carbon sequestration, help

mitigate climate change, promote the sustainable development and enhance livelihood

opportunities by involving local communities in afforestation, agro-forestry and water

conservation activities that will ultimately generate income, employment, food security

and social benefits. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for taking up restoration activities

in Aravalli range in consultation with the State Forest Department, civil society groups,

local communities and relevant private sector has been prepared. This initiative is

complemented by the regular afforestation programme of State Govt. and Compensatory

Afforestation against forest land diversion for the non-forest purposes.

(c) & (d) The Haryana State Forest Department has identified 66 water bodies in six districts

of Aravalli hill range for restoration. The district wise details (including Bhiwani) of

identified water bodies are detailed below:

Sl. No.	Name of District	No. of Water Bodies
1.	Gurugram	15
2.	Faridabad	23
3	Rewari	02
4.	Mahendergarh	15
5.	Charkhi Dadri	06
6	Bhiwani	05
	Total	66

The villages wherein the five ponds/waterbodies have been identified in Bhiwani district are Nigana, Riwasa, Dulheri, Dharan and Tosham.