Desertification UPSC Notes: Status, Causes, Consequences, Measures & More

The topic of Desertification UPSC is important from the perspective of UPSC IAS Exam both for the prelims as well as the Mains exam. 

In this article on Desertification UPSC, we shall discuss in detail the desertification meaning, its causes, impact and the measures taken by India to curb desertification.

Check out the article on Coastal Plains of India for UPSC Exam.

Desertification Definition

Desertification is the process of degradation by which a fertile land undergoes changes by which it changes into a desert by losing its biodiversity, water bodies, vegetation and wildlife.

As per United Nations convention for combating desertification, desertification is defined as Land Degradation in arid semi-arid and dry sub humid areas resulting from various factors including climate variations and human activities. Here “land” refers to the terrestrial bio productive system and “land degradation” refers to production or laws of biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed, cropland, irrigated cropland or pasture forest resulting from land uses are from a process or combination of processes.

Check out the article on Important Boundaries and Lines of the World for the UPSC Exam.

Causes of Desertification

Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of various factors, including climatic variations and human activities. Here are some primary causes:

• Climate Change: Changes in global or regional climate patterns, often characterized by prolonged droughts, can reduce the availability of water, leading to the desertification of land.
• Deforestation: The removal of trees without adequate reforestation results in soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, and reduced rainfall, all contributing to desertification.
• Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock can deplete vegetation cover, making the soil more susceptible to erosion by wind and water.
• Unsustainable Farming Practices: Intensive farming, monoculture (growing the same crop continuously on the same land), and improper irrigation can degrade soil quality and lead to desertification.
• Urbanization and Infrastructure Development: The expansion of urban areas and infrastructure can lead to the destruction of natural habitats and removal of vegetation cover.
• Soil Erosion: Natural processes like wind and water erosion can be exacerbated by human activities, leading to the loss of topsoil, which is essential for plant growth.
• Poor Water Management: Over-extraction of water for agriculture, industry, and urban use can lower the water table, reducing water available for irrigation and leading to the drying up of land.
• Salinization: Improper irrigation practices can cause an accumulation of salts in the soil, rendering it infertile and unsuitable for plant growth.
• Mining and Industrial Activities: These can cause direct destruction of land surfaces and contribute to pollution, which degrades soil and water quality.
• Changing Land Use Patterns: Conversion of forests and wetlands into agricultural land or urban areas can lead to ecological imbalance and land degradation.

Read about the West Flowing Rivers in Peninsular India for the UPSC Exam here!

Consequences of Desertification

The consequences of desertification are severe, including loss of arable land, which threatens food security and agricultural productivity. It also leads to reduced biodiversity, increased vulnerability to natural disasters like dust storms, and contributes to socio-economic problems such as poverty and migration.

• Economic Impact- Decrease in the productivity of agriculture affects the livelihood of a major population. The increase in global population is expected to add more strain to land and cause food shortages. It also has repercussions on increasing poverty and the decrease of the overall productivity of the economy.
• Social Impact- Desertification has an impact on the rise of famine, poverty and social conflicts.
• Political Impacts- desertification has repercussions leading to political instability.
• Climate Change- Degraded land loses its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In turn it releases the stored carbon dioxide, thus contributing to global warming.
• Water Scarcity- Land Degradation has resulted in the deterioration both in the quantity and the quality of surface water resources and groundwater resources.
• Ecological Threat- Impacts of desertification can be felt on the biodiversity, i.e, both flora and fauna of the regions.
• Impact on Human Health- Malnutrition from reduced food and water supply. The spread of infectious diseases like food and water borne diseases due to poor hygiene and lack of clean water.

Read the article on Cold Deserts!

Measures for the Prevention of Desertification

Preventing desertification involves adopting sustainable land management practices, such as reforestation, agroforestry, and soil conservation techniques. Improved irrigation methods, crop rotation, and controlled grazing can also help maintain soil health. Additionally, policies promoting sustainable development and efficient water use are crucial.

• Integrating land and water management to protect soil from erosion, salinization and other forms of degradation.
• Protecting the vegetative cover which can be a major instrument for soil conservation against wind and water erosion.
• Integrating the use of land for grazing and farming where conditions are favourable allowing for a more efficient cycling of nutrients within the agricultural systems.
• Applying a combination of traditional practices with locally acceptable and locally adapted land use technologies.
• Giving the local community the capacity to prevent desertification and to manage dry land resources effectively.
• Creating economic opportunities in tryland urban centers and in areas outside of dry lands.
• Turning to alternative livelihoods that do not depend on traditional land uses.

Status of Desertification in India

India faces significant desertification, with about one-third of its land area already affected. States such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are particularly vulnerable. Factors like high population pressure on land, deforestation, and over-cultivation contribute to the spread of desert-like conditions in several regions.

Source: TERI

• India is home to diverse ecosystems, including arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions, which cover about 69% of the total geographical area of the country.
• These regions are particularly susceptible to the process of desertification, which is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, primarily driven by human activities and climate change.
• According to the India Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas, published by the Space Applications Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), about 97.85 million hectares, which is 29.3% of the total geographical area of India, is undergoing the process of desertification or land degradation.
• The states most affected by desertification and land degradation include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Read the article on the Green Credit Programme!

Measures Taken by India to Combat Desertification

India has implemented various measures to combat desertification, including the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (NAPCD). Efforts include promoting afforestation, improving irrigation infrastructure, and adopting sustainable land management practices. Additionally, programs like the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focus on enhancing water-use efficiency in agriculture.

Source: MoEFCC

National Action Programme to Combat Desertification

Developed in 2001, the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification outlines the strategies and action plans to address the issue of desertification and land degradation in India. The program focuses on promoting sustainable land management practices, enhancing community participation, and strengthening institutional and policy frameworks.

Integrated Watershed Management Programme

The Integrated Watershed Management Programme is a key initiative that focuses on the restoration of degraded lands through community-based approaches and sustainable land use practices. The program aims to improve soil and water conservation, increase vegetation cover, and enhance the overall resilience of ecosystems.

Afforestation and Reforestation Efforts

Initiatives like the National Afforestation Programme and the Green India Mission have been implemented to increase the country's forest cover and improve the overall health of ecosystems. These efforts aim to enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil fertility, and provide livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Soil and Water Conservation Measures

The government has promoted the implementation of various soil and water conservation techniques. This includes rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. These measures aim to improve water availability, reduce soil erosion, and enhance the productivity of land.

Institutional Frameworks

The establishment of the National Rainfed Area Authority and the National Resource Conservation Mission has helped to coordinate and monitor the implementation of desertification control efforts across different government agencies and stakeholders. These institutional frameworks have also facilitated the development of policies and regulations to address the underlying drivers of desertification.

Read the article on Dry Land Farming!

Global Efforts to Combat Desertification

Globally, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) leads efforts to address desertification. International initiatives such as the Great Green Wall in Africa aim to restore degraded landscapes. Collaborative actions, financial mechanisms, and technology transfer between countries are also crucial components of global efforts to combat desertification.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

The UNCCD is an international agreement adopted in 1994 to address the issue of desertification and land degradation. It has a focus on improving the living conditions of people in affected areas. India is a signatory to the UNCCD and has been actively participating in the implementation of the convention's strategies and action plans.

The Great Green Wall Initiative

The Great Green Wall Initiative is a Pan-African effort to create a 15 km wide and 7,775 km long forest belt across the Sahara and Sahel regions, aiming to combat desertification and restore degraded lands. While this initiative is primarily focused on Africa, it represents a global collaborative effort to address the challenges of desertification across different regions.

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target

The LDN target is a global commitment under the UNCCD to achieve a balance between land degradation and restoration by 2030. This target has been widely adopted by countries, including India, as a framework to guide their efforts in combating desertification and promoting sustainable land management.

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The GEF is a financial mechanism that provides funding and support for projects and initiatives related to desertification and land degradation. India has been a beneficiary of GEF funding for various projects aimed at addressing the drivers of desertification and promoting sustainable land use practices.

Regional Action Programmes

Regional organizations, such as the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have also developed their own action programmes to address desertification and land degradation at the regional level. These efforts involve collaboration among countries to share knowledge, implement joint projects, and mobilize resources to combat the common challenge of desertification.

Read the article on Drought!

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994. It has the aim of promoting global awareness and action on the issues of desertification and land degradation.

• This annual observance, held on June 17th, serves as a platform to highlight the importance of sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration, and community empowerment in addressing the challenges posed by desertification.
• Each year, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought focuses on a different theme that aims to raise awareness and promote specific aspects of the global fight against desertification.
• For example, the theme for 2023 is "Desertification: A threat to our common home," emphasizing the need to address desertification as a global issue that affects the entire planet.
• The observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is marked by various awareness-raising activities.

Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Definition and Scope: Desertification refers to the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities. It significantly reduces the productive capacity of the land. Causes of Desertification: Key causes include overgrazing, deforestation, improper agricultural practices, overexploitation of water resources, and climate change. Human-induced activities exacerbate natural desertification processes. Global Impact: Desertification affects an estimated 25% of the Earth's land area, impacting over 2 billion people. It leads to food and water insecurity, loss of biodiversity, and increased poverty, particularly in developing countries. Impact in India: In India, around 30% of the land area is undergoing desertification. States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh are severely affected, leading to reduced agricultural productivity and socio-economic challenges. Environmental Consequences: Desertification leads to loss of soil fertility, increased soil erosion, reduced water retention capacity, and disruption of local climates. It severely affects local ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to loss of flora and fauna. Socio-economic Consequences: Affected communities experience reduced agricultural yields, leading to food insecurity, malnutrition, and loss of livelihoods. It often results in migration and increased pressure on urban areas. Mitigation Measures: Effective mitigation strategies include sustainable land management practices, reforestation and afforestation, water conservation techniques, and the implementation of policies promoting soil and water conservation. International cooperation and funding are also crucial. Policy and International Efforts: Initiatives like the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Bonn Challenge, and India's national action plan to combat desertification aim to address and mitigate the impacts of desertification through global and national efforts, policy frameworks, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

We hope all your doubts regarding the Desertification are addressed after going through this article.Testbook provides comprehensive notes for different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, Gk and current affairs, mocks and so on.Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App!