Which of the following Statements is/are CORRECT about Aravalli Green Wall Project?
1. Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav on 25th March 2023 launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project, a major initiative to green the 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in four states.
2. The project covers states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Punjab - where the Aravalli hills landscape span over 6 million hectares of land.
3. The project will cover degraded land in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Mahendergarh and in Rewari districts of Haryana.
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Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) 3 and 1 only

Explanation:

The Aravalli Green Wall Project was launched by Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav on 25th March 2023 with the objective of restoring degraded lands and increasing green cover across the Aravalli range.

• Statement 1 is correct: The initiative aims to create a 5 km green buffer zone around the Aravalli Hill Range across four states — Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi (not Punjab).
• Statement 3 is also correct: The project will initially focus on degraded lands in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Bhiwani, Mahendergarh, and Rewari districts of Haryana.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The states involved are Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi — Punjab is not part of the project. Also, the total area covered is about 6 million hectares, but this figure is across correct states only.

Information Booster:

• The Aravalli Green Wall Project is part of the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India initiative and aligned with India’s commitment under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
• It aims to increase forest and tree cover, enhance biodiversity, and provide a natural barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert.
• The initiative also aims to improve the micro-climate, enhance livelihoods, and ensure ecological security of the region.

Additional Knowledge:

• Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and plays a critical role in preventing desertification.
• The green wall concept is inspired by the Great Green Wall of Africa, which aims to combat desertification across the Sahel region.