Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Land Degradation Neutrality refers to a state where the amount and quality of land resources remain stable or increase through sustainable practices. India, where 29.32% of its total geographical area suffers from degradation, is prioritizing interventions to reverse land degradation.

• India, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), has committed to achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030.

Body

Challenges in Achieving LDN Targets:

• Expanding Land Degradation: India faces severe desertification and degradation in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • About 68% of cropped area in India is vulnerable to drought, impacting soil fertility and agricultural output.
  • The Thar Desert's expansion due to sand encroachment affects croplands and rural livelihoods.
• Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: Excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation has degraded soil fertility and increased salinity.
  • The groundwater situation in Haryana has reached critical levels with 88 out of 143 blocks now categorised as overexploited, and salinity is rising due to over-irrigation.
• Rapid Urbanization and Industrialization: Encroachment for infrastructure projects, real estate, and mining has led to the loss of fertile lands.
  • Urbanisation is projected to cause the loss of between 1.6 and 3.3 million hectares of prime agricultural land per year in the period between 2000 and 2030
• Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and recurring droughts worsen land degradation.
  • The Bundelkhand region has experienced severe droughts, leading to soil erosion, desertification, and distress migration.
• Lack of Awareness and Participation: Farmers and rural communities often lack awareness of sustainable land practices or fear immediate economic losses from adopting them.
  • Reluctance to shift from traditional cropping practices to agroforestry or organic farming limits progress.

Opportunities in Achieving LDN Targets

• Large-Scale Afforestation and Reforestation: Green India Mission and CAMPA Funds support forest cover enhancement, with a focus on degraded lands.
  • Example: The Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to reduce desertification through large-scale plantation drives.
• Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) encourage reducing chemical inputs.
  • Andhra Pradesh’s Zero Budget Natural Farming model reduced land degradation and improved soil health, serving as a replicable model.
• Agroforestry: Incorporating trees on farmlands prevents erosion, enhances biodiversity, and restores soil structure.
  • Karnataka's Bamboo Mission has successfully integrated agroforestry to restore degraded farmland.
• Integrated Watershed Management Programs like the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) focus on rainwater harvesting, check dams, and soil rehabilitation.
  • Maharashtra’s Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan reduced land degradation by increasing soil moisture retention and water availability.
• Leveraging Technology for Precision Intervention and Involving Local Communities: Advanced technologies identify degraded lands, monitor desertification, and assess restoration impacts.
  • Involving Self-help groups, farmer collectives, and village-level committees through mobile apps ensure participatory land restoration.

Conclusion

Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030 is both an ecological necessity and a socio-economic imperative for India. By prioritizing holistic and inclusive approaches, India can ensure a sustainable future, balancing environmental restoration with economic growth. This mission not only safeguards natural resources but also empowers rural communities, enhances agricultural productivity, and positions India as a global leader in combating desertification.