Gurugram earmarks 580 acres in Aravalis for ecological restoration

#Gurugram #Aravalis #Environment #Restoration #Haryana #SustainabilityBy Sarhind Times Staff Correspondent

Gurugram, October 3:
In a landmark step toward reviving the green lungs of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Haryana government has announced a ₹25.9 crore plan to restore nearly 580 acres of degraded Aravali foothills in Gurugram. Spread across the villages of Kasan, Khoh, and Sehrhawan, this restoration project—unveiled during Wildlife Week celebrations in Manesar—marks one of the most ambitious ecological revival efforts in recent years.

The announcement arrives at a time when the fragile Aravalis, already battered by urban sprawl, illegal mining, and infrastructure projects, face existential threats. This initiative aims to tilt the balance back toward regeneration, biodiversity protection, and sustainable coexistence between development and environment.

🌿 The Aravalis: NCR’s fragile green shield

The Aravalis, among the world’s oldest mountain ranges, serve as a critical ecological buffer for Delhi-NCR. Often called the “lungs of the capital,” these hills moderate temperature, recharge aquifers, and act as a natural barrier against the westward march of the Thar Desert.

Yet, decades of unchecked urbanisation, mining, and road expansion have chipped away at this ecosystem. Data from the Forest Survey of India shows alarming depletion in native vegetation, with invasive species like Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati Keekar) dominating much of the landscape.

This invasive species, while hardy, consumes groundwater, displaces native flora, and reduces habitat diversity for wildlife. Restoring balance requires deliberate removal of such species and large-scale planting of indigenous varieties like dhak, neem, jamun, and arjun.

📑 What the plan entails

The Haryana government’s blueprint, detailed by forest department officials, focuses on phased restoration:

Phase 1: 326 acres to be restored with soil conservation works, water channels, and planting of native saplings.
Phase 2: The remaining 254 acres to be developed, with special emphasis on creating biodiversity corridors.
Budget: ₹25.9 crore, earmarked for afforestation, invasive species removal, soil stabilisation, and three-year maintenance.
Objective: Strengthen water recharge, reduce dust, mitigate flooding, and create a wildlife-supportive ecosystem.

According to Forest Conservator S.K. Sharma, “This initiative is not just about trees, but about rebuilding an ecological system that sustains both people and wildlife.”

🏗️ Balancing development with ecology

This project comes on the heels of over 58 hectares of forest land being diverted for highway expansion and urban projects in Gurugram. Urban planners argue that while infrastructure is vital, compensatory ecological investments are equally critical.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who addressed the Wildlife Week gathering, emphasised:

“The Aravalis are NCR’s natural shield. Their restoration is non-negotiable. The community must step in—not just the government—to preserve this heritage.”

Environmentalists note that unless such projects are backed with strict enforcement, ecological revival may remain tokenistic.

🐆 Impact on biodiversity

The Aravalis are home to leopards, nilgai, jackals, and countless bird species. Loss of habitat has led to frequent man-animal conflicts in Gurugram’s expanding residential sectors. Restored green corridors are expected to:

Provide safe habitats for leopards and deer.
Support migratory birds and pollinators.
Reduce incidents of wild animals straying into human settlements.
Revive groundwater recharge critical to Gurgaon’s urban water supply.

🗣️ Voices from the ground

Local villagers, environmentalists, and citizen activists are cautiously optimistic.

Ritu Gulati, environmentalist: “This is a step forward, but the real test is in execution. Will plantations survive the harsh summers? Will illegal encroachments be curbed?”
Rajbir Singh, Kasan villager: “We welcome restoration, but locals must be given jobs in plantation and maintenance. Community ownership is key.”
Urban planner’s take: “If Gurugram wants to be a global city, it must invest as much in ecological capital as it does in real estate.”

📊 Broader context

Climate resilience: With Delhi NCR recording record heat waves and worsening AQI levels, restoring the Aravalis could mitigate both.
Policy alignment: The project ties into India’s COP commitments on land restoration and afforestation.
Replication potential: Experts suggest using the Gurugram model in Rajasthan’s Aravali stretches where desertification is advancing.

📜 Challenges ahead

Ensuring survival of native saplings in harsh conditions.
Preventing encroachments by real estate developers.
Sustaining community involvement beyond the initial announcement.
Monitoring progress transparently via GIS mapping.

📰 Conclusion

The Gurugram restoration project is more than an environmental scheme—it is a test case of whether India’s booming cities can coexist with their ecological heritage. If successful, it could inspire similar efforts across the Aravalis, offering hope that development need not come at the cost of destruction.