Poverty and Land Degradation are the major problems in dryland areas, especially where forests and trees contribute significantly to rural livelihoods. In order to eradicate poverty in these areas, focus should be to prevent land deforestation, fragmentation and drought.
About 228 mha (69%) of India'a total geographical area (328mha) come under drylands (arid, semi-arid, dry sub-humid). Interestingly, these are the highly populated areas and it aggravates environmental stress affects livelihood directly.
In order to tackle the problems of land desertification, degradation and drought in dryland areas, some 22 major programmes are being impleneted throughout the country, including the 'Mission for Green India' - one of the projects under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
The 4th National Report submitted to the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) Secretariat envisages the GoI's initiatives as well as civil society's role in combating desertification and drought.
Highlights of the Report:
- About 32% of the total land area in India is affected by land degradation.
- About 24.8% of India'a total land is affected by land desertification.
Soil and water erosion are the major reasons for land degradation and water erosion is more prominent in agricultural land.
The major anthropogenic facotrs responsible for land degradation are unsustainable agricultural practices, diversion of good agricultural land to development projects, industrial effluents, mining and deforestation.
Unsustainable resource management practices are responsible for land desertification too and contributes towards accentuating poverty....
No comments:
Post a Comment