❖ In a first-of-its-kind initiative, environmentalists in Haryana released the 'Green Manifesto 2024' to focus on ecological issues.

❖ It was raising various pressing issues such as air pollution, waste management, depleting ground water level, and the need to protect the Aravalis.

❖ The State had the lowest forest cover in India, a mere 3.6% as compared to the national average of 21%.

❖ It is also having eight of the 50 most polluted places in the world

❖ The main demand in the ‘Green Manifesto 2024’ is to legally designate the Aravallis including the Bhood areas and the Shivaliks as ‘Critical Ecological Zones’. ❖ It also demands legislating a ‘Tree Act’ for Haryana on the line of the strict Delhi Preservation of Trees Act 1994.