Threat of Desertification

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Desertification is a huge global environmental problem - like climate change. Desertification adds to, and worsens the impact of climate change. Currently, some two billion people are affected by desertification and the degradation of land; 41 % of the landmass worldwide is prone to desertification. The major deserts in the world are expanding at an alarming rate.

Deserts in China, Mongolia and Africa are all invading their neighbouring regions. In India, the deserts in western India are expanding. Hundreds of thousands of hectares in the arid and semi arid regions and dry lands around the world are becoming sand dunes every year. This means fewer and fewer hectares are available for agriculture, livestock rearing and allied activities that offer livelihood sources to hundreds of millions of world population, especially the poor. Desertification cuts on the availability of food and water even as the global population is increasing. It also causes disasters such as sandstorms which wipe out large swathes of habitable lands. Aquifers vanish and bi diversity is greatly reduced.

If we do not rehabilitate the degraded lands and stop the march of the deserts, there will be huge global shortages of food, water and fuels and unprecedented mass migrations.

What are some of the ways to rehabilitate degraded lands ?

The techniques include agro forestry and farmer managed natural regeneration. Small community initiatives like closure of degraded lands for grazing, curtailing farming, growing fast growing plants, raising tall trees that serve as a barrier against winds and sandstorms are very effective.

V.Senthilnathan

Source: The Hindu dt. 18.06.2012 Extract from the Interview with Dr. Mansour N'Diaye, Chief De Cabinet of the UN convention to combat desertification (UNCCD)