India’s action against Desertification

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<–2/”>a >India as a signatory to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has submitted four National Reports to UNCCD  in the years 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2010

Some of the major programmes currently implemented that address issues related to land degradation and desertification is:-

  1. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP),
  2. National Afforestation Programme (NAP),
  3. National Mission for Green India (GIM),
  4. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural EMPLOYMENT Guarantee Scheme
  5. (MGNREGS),
  6. Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Project and Flood Prone River,
  7. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA),
  8. Desert Development Programme (DDP)
  9. Fodder and Feed Development Scheme-component of Grassland Development including
  10. Grass Reserves, Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM)  programme etc

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India is one of the most vulnerable countries to desertification, with an estimated 12% of its land area already affected. The government has taken a number of steps to combat desertification, including the following:

  • National Action Plan for Combating Desertification and Drought (NAPCD): The NAPCD is a comprehensive plan that outlines the government’s strategy for combating desertification and drought. It includes a number of measures, such as afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and soil and water conservation.
  • National Afforestation Programme (NAP): The NAP is a centrally-sponsored scheme that aims to increase forest cover in the country. It provides financial assistance to states and union territories for afforestation and tree plantation.
  • Forestry-2/”>Social Forestry Programme (SFM): The SFM is a community-based forestry programme that aims to involve local communities in the management of forests. It provides financial assistance to communities for afforestation, tree plantation, and other forestry activities.
  • Joint Forest Management (JFM): JFM is a participatory forest management programme that involves local communities in the management of forests. It is based on the principle of co-operation between the government and local communities.
  • Green India Mission (GIM): The GIM is a national mission that aims to increase forest cover and improve the quality of forests in the country. It includes a number of measures, such as afforestation, tree plantation, and soil and water conservation.
  • Desert Development Programme (DDP): The DDP is a centrally-sponsored scheme that aims to improve the livelihoods of people living in desert areas. It includes a number of measures, such as afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and soil and water conservation.
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): The IWMP is a centrally-sponsored scheme that aims to improve the management of watersheds in the country. It includes a number of measures, such as afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and soil and water conservation.
  • Rainwater Harvesting (RWH): RWH is a water conservation technique that involves collecting rainwater and storing it for later use. It can be used to recharge groundwater, irrigate crops, and meet domestic water needs.
  • Micro Irrigation (MI): MI is a water-saving irrigation technique that involves using small pipes and drippers to deliver water directly to the roots of Plants. It can be used to irrigate crops in areas with limited water Resources.
  • Afforestation and Tree Plantation (ATP): ATP is a forestry activity that involves planting trees. It can be used to increase forest cover, improve soil quality, and provide a source of fuelwood and fodder.
  • Soil and Water Conservation (SWC): SWC is a set of practices that are used to protect soil and Water Resources. It includes measures such as terracing, contour bunding, and gully control.
  • Drought-proofing Measures (DPM): DPM are measures that are taken to reduce the impact of droughts. It includes measures such as water harvesting, crop diversification, and Livestock management.
  • Desertification Control Measures (DCM): DCM are measures that are taken to control desertification. It includes measures such as afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and soil and water conservation.
  • Awareness Generation and Capacity Building (AGCB): AGCB is a process of raising awareness about the issue of desertification and building the capacity of people to address it. It includes activities such as training, workshops, and seminars.
  • Research and Development (R&D): R&D is a process of conducting research on the causes and effects of desertification and developing new technologies to address it. It includes activities such as laboratory experiments, field trials, and modeling.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): M&E is a process of tracking the progress of desertification control measures and evaluating their effectiveness. It includes activities such as data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Institutional Strengthening (IS): IS is a process of strengthening the institutions that are responsible for combating desertification. It includes activities such as capacity building, training, and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE-development/”>Infrastructure Development.
  • International Cooperation (IC): IC is a process of working with other countries to address the issue of desertification. It includes activities such as sharing information, technology, and resources.

The government’s efforts to combat desertification have been successful in some areas, but there is still much work to be done. The government needs to continue to invest in research and development, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional strengthening. It also needs to work with other countries to address the issue of desertification at the international level.

What is desertification?

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It is caused by human activities and Climate change.

What are the causes of desertification?

The main causes of desertification are:

  • Overgrazing: When too many animals graze on an area, they can eat all of the plants, leaving the soil exposed to wind and water erosion.
  • Deforestation: When trees are cut down, they are no longer able to hold the soil in place. This can lead to soil erosion and the formation of gullies.
  • Irrigation: When water is used to irrigate crops, it can evaporate and leave behind salts. These salts can build up in the soil, making it difficult for plants to grow.
  • Climate Change: Climate change is causing temperatures to rise and rainfall patterns to change. This can lead to more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which can damage land and make it more susceptible to desertification.

What are the effects of desertification?

Desertification can have a number of negative effects, including:

  • Loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity: Desertification can lead to the loss of plant and animal species.
  • Reduced crop yields: Desertification can make it difficult to grow crops, which can lead to food shortages.
  • Increased POVERTY: Desertification can lead to increased poverty, as people are forced to leave their homes and find new ways to make a living.
  • Social unrest: Desertification can lead to social unrest, as people compete for scarce resources.

What are the solutions to desertification?

There are a number of things that can be done to address desertification, including:

  • Sustainable land management: This involves using land in a way that does not damage it. This can be done by planting trees, using water more efficiently, and grazing animals in a sustainable way.
  • Climate Change Mitigation: This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which will help to reduce the effects of climate change.
  • Adaptation to climate change: This involves developing strategies to cope with the effects of climate change, such as building sea walls to protect coastal areas from flooding.
  • Education and awareness-raising: It is important to educate people about the causes and effects of desertification, and to encourage them to take action to address it.

What is India’s action against desertification?

India has taken a number of steps to address desertification, including:

  • The National Action Plan for Land Degradation Control: This plan outlines the government’s strategy for addressing land degradation.
  • The National Afforestation Programme: This program aims to plant trees on degraded land.
  • The Desert Development Programme: This program aims to improve the livelihoods of people living in desert areas.
  • The Integrated Watershed Management Programme: This program aims to improve water management in watersheds.

India has also ratified a number of international agreements on desertification, including the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

  1. Which of the following is not a cause of desertification?
    (A) Overgrazing
    (B) Deforestation
    (C) Overpopulation
    (D) Climate change

  2. Which of the following is a major effect of desertification?
    (A) Soil erosion
    (B) Water scarcity
    (C) Loss of biodiversity
    (D) All of the above

  3. Which of the following is a way to prevent desertification?
    (A) Plant trees
    (B) Reduce grazing
    (C) Conserve water
    (D) All of the above

  4. Which of the following is a country that is affected by desertification?
    (A) China
    (B) India
    (C) Mexico
    (D) All of the above

  5. Which of the following is an international organization that is working to combat desertification?
    (A) The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
    (B) The World Bank
    (C) The Food and agriculture Organization of the United Nations
    (D) All of the above

  6. Which of the following is a goal of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?
    (A) To reduce the rate of desertification
    (B) To rehabilitate degraded land
    (C) To improve the living conditions of people affected by desertification
    (D) All of the above

  7. Which of the following is a way that the World Bank is helping to combat desertification?
    (A) Providing financial assistance to countries affected by desertification
    (B) Supporting research on desertification
    (C) Helping to develop and implement national desertification control programs
    (D) All of the above

  8. Which of the following is a way that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is helping to combat desertification?
    (A) Providing technical assistance to countries affected by desertification
    (B) Promoting sustainable land management practices
    (C) Helping to develop and implement national desertification control programs
    (D) All of the above

  9. Which of the following is a way that you can help to combat desertification?
    (A) Plant trees
    (B) Reduce your water consumption
    (C) Recycle
    (D) All of the above

  10. Which of the following is a fact about desertification?
    (A) Desertification is a major environmental problem that affects millions of people around the world.
    (B) Desertification is caused by a number of factors, including overgrazing, deforestation, and climate change.
    (C) Desertification can have a number of negative effects, including soil erosion, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity.
    (D) There are a number of things that can be done to prevent and combat desertification, such as planting trees, reducing grazing, and conserving water.

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