High-level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought
Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – International Relations and GS III – Conservation
In news
Recently, the Indian Prime Minister delivered a keynote address at the United Nations (UN) “High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought” via video conference.
Steps Taken by India to deal land degradation
India is on track to achieve its national commitment on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) (Sustainable Development Goal target 15.3).
It is working to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Over the last 10 years, around 3 million hectares of forest cover has been added.
India is assisting fellow developing countries to develop land restoration strategies.
A Centre of Excellence is being set up in India to promote a scientific approach towards land degradation issues.
It is at Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.
What is Land Degradation and its impact?
Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions, particularly drought and human activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soils and land utility.
It creates arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas.
It accelerates climate change and biodiversity loss.
It adds to droughts, wildfires, involuntary migration and the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases.
Global Efforts to Check Land Degradation
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): Sole legally binding international agreement
The Bonn Challenge: : To bring 150 million hectares of the world’s deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
Great Green Wall: Initiative by Global Environment Facility (GEF), where eleven countries in Sahel-Saharan Africa have focused efforts to fight against land degradation and revive native plant life to the landscape.
