India, June 6 -- To restore the Aravallis to their original glory, priority should be given to legally protecting these landscapes, freeing them of encroachments, and shielding them from mindless infrastructure development, said Vijay Dhasmana, curator of the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. Edited excerpts from an interview where the eco-restoration expert discusses why much of the Aravallis is degraded and how it can be nursed back.

How do you think degraded Aravallis can be restored ecologically?

Aravalli landscapes are very fragile, yet the forests and grasslands within them are remarkably resilient. Restoration in these areas requires a thorough understanding of the threats they face. The natural trajectory of land restoration follows t...