Recently, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issued a stark warning, stating that a staggering 90 per cent of the planet’s land surface could be degraded by 2050

• International Conference on Soils: The UNESCO International Conference on Soils held in Agadir, Morocco included developing an action plan for improved soil protection, and enhancing community engagement through education and training.

Current Status of land degradation

• According to the World Atlas of Desertification: 75% of soils are already degraded, directly affecting 3.2 billion people globally.
• Further Degradation: If current practices continue unchecked, the degradation rate could increase to affect 90% of soils by 2050

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What are the causes of land degradation and desertification?

Impacts of Land Degradation and Desertification

• Loss of Agricultural Productivity: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that soil degradation reduces global crop yields by about 33%, contributing to food shortages and poverty.
• Global Food Security:  Pose a major threat to global food security and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) compromising the well-being of at least 3.2 billion people around the world.
• Health & Environment: It affects our environment and health including water quality, the energy sector, urban infrastructure, and our landscapes.  
  • For example, sediments associated with soil particles displaced by wind and water can lead to off-site soil and water pollution.
  • Infiltration, storage and drainage of water in the soil, resulting in waterlogging and water scarcity. 
• Land degradation negatively affects the cultural identity of some communities: Particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and erodes their traditional knowledge and management systems.
  •  It also causes a loss of sense of place and of spiritual connection to the land.
• Migration: Migration as a result of desertification and land degradation acts synergistically with climate-induced migration, conflict and violence, leading to an exponential increase in displacement over the next several decades

Government Measures to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification

• Watershed Development Component (WDC) of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: It contributes towards restoration of land through its various interventions which include inter-alia building of water harvesting structures, area brought under protection irrigation, area brought under plantation (afforestation/ horticulture etc.).
• Land degradation neutrality status by 2030: India has committed to achieve land degradation neutrality status by 2030. 
  • National Afforestation & Eco Development Board (NAEB), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme “National Afforestation Programme (NAP)” for regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas through people’s participation.
• Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas: Published by Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
• Estimated land degradation and desertification in India: 97.84 million hectares in 2018-19.
  • Offers state-wise information on degraded land to aid restoration planning.
• Online Portal for Visualization: Developed in collaboration with Space Application Center (SAC), Ahmedabad.
  • Allows visualization of degraded land areas and the processes causing degradation.
• Centre of Excellence at ICFRE Dehradun: Envisioned at the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun.
  • Focuses on South-South Cooperation for knowledge sharing and best practices.

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Global initiatives by UNESCO on land degradation

• World Soil Health Index: 
  • This index will be a standardized measure for assessing and comparing soil quality across different regions and ecosystems. 
• UNESCO will launch a Pilot initiative:  For the sustainable management of soils and landscapes in around ten natural sites that it helps to protect under its Biosphere Reserves programme. 
  • The goal will be twofold: 
  • To assess the effectiveness of the management methods implemented in these sites
  • To work to ensure that the best of these methods can be deployed in other regions of the world.