Jharkhand tops the list of states in terms of . As many as 69% of the total land area of the state is considered a desert which is even more thanRajasthan(62.06%), literally known as the desert state. Interestingly, Jharkhand also could not make it to any of the list in the 11 categories of the fourth National Water Awards instituted by the Union jalshakti ministry.
The presentation focused on the increasing number of desertification in Jharkhand, which is among the top five states with a higher rate of desertification at 68.77%. Kumar pointed out the key indicators and drivers causing the problem and the current actions required to overcome it.
The issues of desertification were also discussed from an industrial standpoint by Sangita, the general manager (Environment) at Central Coalfield Limited (CCL). She spoke about the importance of reclaiming the land biologically and building new eco-parks in the state while also taking up a green venture on the overburdens of coal mines. Later, the principal chief conservator of forests, Siddharth Tripathi, engaged the gathering with appeals for their input on the necessary actions needed to be taken to address the issue.