7/28/2014

Print Release

Press Information Bureau

Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests
07-July-2011 15:42 IST

Desertification, land Degradation and Drought in India

Backgrounder

Poverty and environmental degradation are major problems in dry lands, where forests and
trees contribute significantly to rural livelihoods. In order to eradicate poverty in the dry lands, it is
important to protect the land from deforestation, fragmentation, degradation and drought. About 228
mha (69%) of India's total geographical area (about 328 mha) is under dry lands (arid, semi-arid and
dry sub-humid). These areas incidentally are highly populated which makes the people vulnerable to
environmental stress and impacts livelihoods directly.
In order to tackle the issues of desertification, land degradation and droughts, 22 major
programmes are being implemented in the country, including, the Mission for Green India, one of
the Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, which will address dry land forests,
in addition to other ecosystems.
4th national report submitted to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD) Secretariat not only encompasses the Government of India's initiatives but also Civil
Society's contribution in addressing the issues of desertification, land degradation and drought.
Highlights of the Report
_ About 69 percent of India is dry land arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid
o These areas are heavily populated
o Degradation has severe implications for livelihood and food security for millions of people
living in these areas
_ An estimated 32 percent of Indias total land area is affected by land degradation (of which
desertification is a major component)
_ 81.45 million hectares, or 24.8 percent of the countrys geographic area is undergoing desertification
_ Water and soil erosion are major causes of land degradation; water erosion is most prominent in
agricultural regions
_ The key anthropogenic factors resulting in degradation are unsustainable agricultural practices;
diversion of land to development programmes; industrial effluents; mining and deforestation
_ Unsustainable resource management practices drive desertification, and accentuate the poverty of
people affected by desertification
_ Land rehabilitation has been a major priority since Independence, and several policies and
government agencies address desertification and degradation. These include various programmes
namely Desert Development Programme; Integrated Wasteland Development; National Watershed,
Development Project for Rainfed Areas; Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Projects;
National Afforestation Programme; Arid Zone Research; Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme; National Rural Drinking Water Programme etc.
KP
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx

1/1