Ans :- Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It is caused primarily by human activities and climate variations.
Causes of desertification:-
As per UN , every year , the world loses 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil and dryland degradation reduces NDP by upto 8% annually.
*Natural causes *
1. Climate Variability: Changes in long-term climate patterns, such as prolonged droughts and shifts in precipitation, can lead to reduced soil moisture and increased evaporation .2. Geomorphology: Geological processes, like the natural expansion of sand dunes or erosion, can gradually transform landscapes into arid and desert-like conditions.
3. Soil Characteristics: Certain soil types are naturally more prone to aridification due to low water-holding capacity, reduced fertility, and susceptibility to erosion.
4. Topography: Steep slopes and rugged terrains can enhance water runoff and erosion, leading to land degradation and desertification
Anthropogenic Causes :-
1. Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture, logging, and urbanization reduces vegetation cover, leading to increased soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, and decreased water retention.
2. Overgrazing: Unsustainable grazing practices by livestock lead to vegetation removal, soil compaction, and erosion, accelerating land degradation.
3. Unsustainable Agriculture: Improper farming practices, such as excessive tilling, monoculture, and inappropriate irrigation, can degrade soil quality, leading to reduced productivity and desertification.
4. Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: Construction, urban expansion, and infrastructure projects often lead to soil compaction, reduced vegetation cover, and increased vulnerability to erosion.
5. Mining and Extractive Industries: Extractive activities can disrupt landscapes, degrade soil quality, and release pollutants into the environment, contributing to desertification.
Current status of desertification in India :-
-According to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas 2021, at least 30% of India’s total geographical area is under the category of “degraded land”.
- Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat and Goa have more than 50% of land area undergoing desertification or degradation.
- Kerala, Assam, Mizoram, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Arunachal Pradesh are states with less than 10% land degradation.
In 2019, the government raised its target of restoration of degraded land from 21 million hectares to 26 million hectares by 2030 following a commitment made during the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification (COP14).
Role Played by UNCCD in addressing desertification:-
1. Convention Framework: UNCCD provides a framework for countries to develop and implement national action plans to combat desertification and mitigate the impacts of drought and land
degradation.
2. Capacity Building: UNCCD offers training, capacity-building programs, and technical assistance to member countries to enhance their understanding of sustainable land management practices.
e.g. In Kenya, UNCCD has supported the development of land management training centers
3. Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN): UNCCD launched the LDN concept, aiming to achieve a balance between land degradation and land restoration.
4. Drought Management: UNCCD assists countries in developing strategies for managing drought, including early warning systems, preparedness, and response plans to minimize the impacts on vulnerable populations.
5. Ecosystem Restoration: UNCCD promotes restoration initiatives that improve the health and productivity of degraded land through reforestation, afforestation, agroforestry, and other sustainable practices.e.g. Great Green Wall initiative in Sahel Region
6. Sustainable Land Management: UNCCD supports projects that promote sustainable land management practices.
However, there are certain limitations and challenges that can impact its effectiveness.
1. Lack of Binding Enforcement Mechanisms: Unlike some other international agreements, the UNCCD lacks strong binding enforcement mechanisms to ensure that member countries fulfill their commitments and take necessary actions to combat desertification.
2. Limited Financial Resources: the UNCCD often faces limitations in terms of funding and resources, which can affect the scale and impact of its activities.
3. Diverse National Contexts: Member countries have diverse ecological, social, and economic contexts. Strategies and solutions that work well in one country might not be directly applicable to another due to varying local conditions and priorities.
Despite the limitations, the UNCCD operates in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
particularly Goal 15 (Life on Land), and contributes to global efforts to achieve a more sustainable and
resilient planet.