#Environment

■ India’s Transformative Journey in Combating Land Degradation and Desertification-

✅Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has reiterated India’s commitment to addressing land degradation and desertification, aligning with the objectives of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

✅Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on Drought Resilience during CoP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Yadav highlighted India’s pioneering efforts in land restoration and sustainable development.

● India’s Progress and Global Leadership:

✅1. Commitment to Land Restoration

✅India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

✅Established the Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management, focusing on a scientific approach to address land degradation and sharing India’s expertise globally.

✅2. Tackling Desertification and Poverty

✅Recognized the link between desertification and socio-economic challenges, particularly poverty.

✅Prioritized community-driven initiatives to restore degraded lands and strengthen rural livelihoods.

● Key Milestones in the UNCCD Journey:

✅CoP 5 (Geneva): Identified land degradation as a critical global environmental challenge.

✅CoP 10: Focused on community-driven solutions for land restoration.

✅CoP 14 (India):

✅Commitment to restore 26 million hectares by 2030 under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership.

✅Recognition of land restoration as a climate change strategy.

✅CoP 15 (Abidjan):

✅Emphasized land restoration for job creation and climate adaptation.

✅Supported the G-20’s trillion-tree goal, contributing to carbon sink creation.

● Innovative Strategies and Technological Integration:

✅Proactive Drought Resilience

✅Shifted from reactive responses to sustainable, proactive strategies centered on preparedness and prevention.

✅Leveraged institutions like:

✅Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and National Remote Sensing Centre for:

✅Drought vulnerability assessments.

✅Real-time monitoring.

✅Early warning systems.

● Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

✅Soil Health Cards issued to farmers for better land management and soil health sustainability.

✅Promotion of organic farming to support resilient agricultural practices.

● Economic and Environmental Benefits:

✅Addressing challenges like food security and climate change has led to:

✅Creation of green jobs.

✅Enhancement of rural prosperity.

✅Building drought resilience across vulnerable regions.

● India’s Broader Contributions to Global Goals:

✅Supported international initiatives like the G-20’s trillion-tree initiative and UNCCD’s sustainable development objectives.

✅Shared technology-driven solutions with other nations, reinforcing India’s role as a global leader in environmental sustainability.

● Bilateral Collaborations at CoP16:

✅Held discussions with ministers from Saudi Arabia and Kenya on sustainable development and mutual interests, enhancing global partnerships in land restoration.

● Future Outlook: Sustainability and Resilience:

✅Minister Yadav concluded by reaffirming India’s pledge to:

✅Restore degraded lands.

✅Enhance livelihoods in rural areas.

✅Protect fragile ecosystems.

✅Align actions with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

✅India’s innovative strategies, coupled with strong leadership, underscore its commitment to building a sustainable and resilient future while sharing its expertise to combat global environmental challenges.

SOURCE - THE HINDU