Environment Minister opens Aravalli eco-restoration conference; 97 sq km of Haryana's Aravalli land declared Protected Forest
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the National Conference on Eco-restoration of the Aravalli Landscape in New Delhi on 14 January 2026 and said 6.45 million hectares of degraded Aravalli land has been identified under the Aravalli Green Wall Project.
Summary
The Aravalli Green Wall Project has identified 6.45 million hectares of degraded land and started greening on 2.7 million hectares across Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said while inaugurating the National Conference on Eco-restoration of the Aravalli Landscape in New Delhi on 14 January 2026. He said the project is part of India's UNCCD commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land and is being implemented by forest officers in 29 Aravalli districts with native species. About 97 sq km of degraded Aravalli revenue land from Naurangpur to Nuh has been declared a Protected Forest by Haryana. Yadav also released the report 'Eco-restoration of the Aravalli Landscape' by the Sankala Foundation.
Key facts
- Event
- National Conference on Eco-restoration of the Aravalli Landscape, New Delhi, 14 January 2026
- Degraded land identified
- 6.45 million hectares
- Greening started
- 2.7 million hectares in Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan
- Districts
- 29 Aravalli districts
- National commitment
- UNCCD: restore 26 million hectares
- Haryana
- ~97 sq km, Naurangpur to Nuh, declared Protected Forest
- Report
- 'Eco-restoration of the Aravalli Landscape' — Sankala Foundation
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under the Aravalli Green Wall Project, how much degraded land in the Aravalli region has been identified, as stated in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 6.45 million hectares
PIB (Environment): 6.45 million hectares has been identified, with greening started on 2.7 million hectares. 26 million hectares is India's overall UNCCD target.
India's commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land, linked to the Aravalli Green Wall Project, is made under which international convention?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — UNCCD
PIB (Environment): the project is part of India's commitment under the UNCCD to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land.
About 97 sq km of degraded Aravalli revenue land declared a Protected Forest, as noted in January 2026, stretches from Naurangpur to which place?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Nuh
PIB (Environment): around 97 sq km of Aravalli revenue land from Naurangpur to Nuh in Haryana has been declared a Protected Forest.