Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Desertification, as defined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is the process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, resulting from various factors including climatic changes and human activities. It doesn’t refer to the advancing of existing deserts, but rather the degradation of land in non-desert areas leading to desert-like conditions. India, with approximately 68% of its land area falling under dryland ecosystems, is highly vulnerable to desertification. Recent reports indicate that nearly 30% of India’s total geographical area is undergoing desertification, posing a significant threat to livelihoods, biodiversity, and ecological security. This necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the causes and effective remedial measures.
Causes of Desertification in India
Desertification in India is a complex phenomenon driven by a combination of climatic and anthropogenic factors.
1. Climatic Factors
- Rainfall Variability: Erratic and declining rainfall patterns, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions, are a primary driver. The monsoon’s increasing unpredictability exacerbates the problem.
- Temperature Increase: Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation rates, reducing soil moisture and contributing to land degradation.
- Wind Erosion: Strong winds, prevalent in desert regions, cause significant soil erosion, removing fertile topsoil and leaving behind barren land.
- Droughts: Frequent and prolonged droughts weaken vegetation cover, making the land more susceptible to erosion and desertification.
2. Anthropogenic Factors
- Deforestation: Large-scale deforestation for agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization reduces vegetation cover, increasing soil erosion and reducing water retention capacity.
- Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock depletes vegetation cover, compacts the soil, and hinders regeneration.
- Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: Intensive farming practices, including monoculture, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and improper irrigation techniques, degrade soil health and contribute to desertification.
- Mining Activities: Mining operations often lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, accelerating land degradation.
- Industrialization & Urbanization: Expansion of industrial areas and urban centers leads to land use changes and pollution, impacting surrounding ecosystems.
- Population Pressure: Increasing population density puts immense pressure on land resources, leading to overexploitation and degradation.
Desertified Areas of India – Sketch Map
(A sketch map should be included here. It should depict the following areas as significantly affected by desertification):
- Western Rajasthan: The Thar Desert is the most prominent desertified region.
- Gujarat: Parts of Kutch and Saurashtra are experiencing increasing desertification.
- Haryana & Punjab: Areas affected by over-irrigation and salinity.
- Parts of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Degradation due to overgrazing and deforestation.
- Rajasthan (Eastern parts): Areas bordering the Thar Desert.
- Maharashtra: Marathwada region facing drought and land degradation.
(The map should clearly label these regions and use shading or other visual cues to indicate the severity of desertification. Include a North arrow and scale.)
Remedial Measures to Control Desertification
Addressing desertification requires a multi-pronged approach focusing on prevention, restoration, and sustainable land management.
- Afforestation & Reforestation: Large-scale tree planting, particularly with drought-resistant species, can help restore vegetation cover and prevent soil erosion.
- Water Conservation: Implementing water harvesting techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and check dams, can improve water availability and reduce soil moisture stress.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, including crop rotation, contour bunding, and integrated nutrient management, can enhance soil health and reduce land degradation.
- Controlled Grazing: Implementing rotational grazing systems and regulating livestock numbers can prevent overgrazing and allow vegetation to regenerate.
- Sand Dune Stabilization: Using vegetation barriers and other techniques to stabilize sand dunes can prevent their encroachment on agricultural land and settlements.
- Shelter Belts: Planting rows of trees as shelterbelts can reduce wind erosion and protect crops.
- Land Use Planning: Implementing effective land use planning policies can prevent unsustainable land use practices and protect vulnerable ecosystems.
- Community Participation: Engaging local communities in conservation efforts is crucial for ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Policy & Legislation: Strengthening environmental regulations and enforcing existing laws can help prevent land degradation.
Government Initiatives: The Government of India has launched several initiatives to combat desertification, including the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification (NAPCD), the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) focusing on irrigation efficiency. The National Mission for Green India (GIM) also contributes through afforestation efforts.
Conclusion
Desertification poses a significant threat to India’s ecological and economic security. Addressing this challenge requires a holistic and integrated approach that combines scientific knowledge, traditional wisdom, and community participation. Investing in sustainable land management practices, promoting water conservation, and strengthening environmental regulations are crucial steps towards reversing land degradation and building a resilient future. International collaboration, particularly through the UNCCD, is also essential for sharing best practices and mobilizing resources to combat this global problem.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.