Published on 02 Feb 2025
The UNCCD defines desertification as “land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from multiple causes, including climatic variations and human activities.” In India, Rajasthan, with the Thar Desert, is the most affected state, with approximately 61.2% of its area facing desertification.
Measures taken by India to curb desertification
Desertification and Land Degradation atlas of India by ISRO: It provides state-wise area of degradation land. It would help in planning and implementation of schemes aimed at restoration of land by providing important data and technical inputs.
Desert Development programme: launched to minimise the adverse effect of drought and control desertification through rejuvenation of the natural resource base of the identified desert areas.
National Afforestation programme: Ecological restoration of degraded forests and to develop the forest resources with peoples' participation, with focus on improvement in livelihoods of the forest-fringe communities, especially the poor.
National Action programme to combat desertification: It was prepared in 2001 to address issues of increasing desertification and to take appropriate actions.
Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought Project (BOLD): The project began with the planting of 5000 bamboo saplings from various species over a 25-hectare plot of barren soil.
Programme for Integrated Watershed Management: to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Formation of UNCCD: UNCCD is a result of UN at the Earth Summit in 1992 and got established in 1996
Legality: It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
India and UNCCD: India signed to UNCCD in 1994 and became a party to it
Aim: It addresses Arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas of the world; together known as ‘dry land.’
Other global and international initiatives to combat desertification
Great Green Wall: African-led initiative to combat desertification in Sahel-Saharan region, planting trees across Africa to restore landscapes, improve soil fertility, and enhance resilience to climate change.
Global Environmental Facility: Multilateral financial mechanism supporting global environmental projects, including combating desertification, land degradation, and ecosystem restoration through funding, capacity-building, and knowledge sharing initiatives.
SDGs: Goal 15 aims to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt land degradation, and conserve biodiversity, emphasizing international cooperation to achieve land degradation neutrality and sustainable terrestrial ecosystems.
Geography
India and desertification
Measures taken by India to curb desertification
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNCCD
Other global and international initiatives to combat desertification
General Studies Paper 1
Salient Features of Indian Geography