Udaipur, April 6, 2025 — A special workshop on the Aravalli Green Wall Project and Natural Climate Solutions was held at Aranya Bhawan in Udaipur, jointly organized by the Green People Society and the Forest Department of Rajasthan. The event brought together environmental experts and conservation enthusiasts to discuss ecological preservation, forest regeneration, and climate resilience in the Aravalli range.
Dr. D.N. Pandey Highlights Urgency of Ecosystem Conservation
Dr. D.N. Pandey, retired PCCF and renowned environmentalist, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing that the Aravalli Green Wall Project is a “golden opportunity for Rajasthan’s future.” He stressed that saving the ecosystem must be the top priority, alongside afforestation efforts.
Drawing comparisons with Africa’s Great Green Wall, Dr. Pandey explained that this ambitious Central Government initiative is designed to halt the desertification spreading from the Thar Desert toward Delhi-NCR and northern India. The goal is to restore 1.15 million hectares of forests across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi by 2027.
Key Points from the Workshop
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Rampura Forests Will Take 1,000 Years to Regrow
Dr. Pandey underscored that the dense forests of Rampura in Pratapgarh are invaluable and irreplaceable in the short term. “It takes just years to destroy a forest, but a thousand years to bring it back,” he warned. -
Badi Lake – Rajasthan’s Cleanest Lake
Highlighting urban threats, he named Badi Lake as the cleanest lake in Rajasthan, crediting the surrounding forest cover and the absence of sewage inflow. However, he cautioned against unchecked hotel development nearby. -
Urban Forests Key to Smart Cities
Dr. Pandey advocated for the conservation of urban forests, calling them essential components of any true smart city.
India’s Role in Climate Mitigation
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Dr. Pandey revealed alarming statistics:
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11% of large trees mapped in 2010–2011 vanished by 2018
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Over 5 million large farm trees were lost between 2018–2022
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India is now a hotspot for tree species extinction risks
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He called for grassland and cropland restoration, especially in Rajasthan, which houses 375 plant species across 188 genera in its grasslands. However, invasive species like Lantana and Juliflora continue to pose significant challenges.
Natural Climate Solutions: Community Responsibility
Calling for collective action, Dr. Pandey emphasized that not just governments, but every citizen of Rajasthan shares the responsibility of conserving biodiversity and natural resources. He noted that India’s 6.6 lakh villages and 15 lakh water bodies are lifelines of the ecosystem and must be protected.
Green People Society’s Commitment
Rahul Bhatnagar, President of the Green People Society and retired CCF, welcomed the chief guest and shared details of ongoing environmental initiatives. Other notable speakers included retired IAS Vikram Singh, and society members, who echoed the call for grassroots engagement in climate solutions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
