Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Desertification, as defined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is the process of land degradation in drylands, leading to the loss of biological and economic productivity. It’s not merely the advance of deserts, but a complex process driven by climate change and unsustainable land use practices. India, with approximately 68% of its land area falling under dryland regions, is particularly vulnerable. Recent reports indicate an alarming increase in desertified land, posing a significant threat to livelihoods, food security, and ecological stability. The issue gained prominence with India hosting the COP14 of the UNCCD in 2019, committing to ambitious land restoration goals.
Causes of Desertification in India
Natural Causes
- Climate Change: Increased temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts exacerbate land degradation.
- Geological Factors: Arid and semi-arid regions, naturally prone to low vegetation cover and soil erosion.
- Wind and Water Erosion: Dominant forces in degrading topsoil, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Anthropogenic Causes
- Deforestation: Removal of vegetation cover for agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization.
- Overgrazing: Excessive livestock grazing depletes vegetation and compacts soil.
- Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: Monoculture, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and improper irrigation techniques.
- Industrialization and Mining: Pollution, habitat destruction, and soil contamination.
- Population Pressure: Increased demand for land and resources.
Extent and Regional Variations
According to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021), prepared by Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, approximately 29.32% of India’s total geographical area (96.4 million hectares) is undergoing desertification.
| Region | Percentage of Land Affected | Major Contributing Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan | ~60% | Overgrazing, deforestation, wind erosion |
| Gujarat | ~45% | Salinity, waterlogging, over-extraction of groundwater |
| Maharashtra | ~30% | Deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, industrial pollution |
| Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | ~25% | Overgrazing, deforestation, erratic rainfall |
| Haryana & Punjab | ~20% | Over-exploitation of groundwater, intensive agriculture |
The states most affected are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, and Punjab. The Thar Desert region is particularly vulnerable, but desertification is also occurring in non-desert areas due to unsustainable practices.
Remedial Measures
- Afforestation and Reforestation: Large-scale tree planting, particularly with native species, to restore vegetation cover. The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) is a key initiative.
- Water Conservation: Promoting rainwater harvesting, watershed development, and efficient irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
- Sustainable Land Management: Adopting practices like contour bunding, terracing, and crop rotation to prevent soil erosion.
- Pasture Management: Implementing rotational grazing and promoting fodder development to prevent overgrazing.
- Policy Interventions: Strengthening environmental regulations, promoting land use planning, and providing incentives for sustainable land management.
- Community Participation: Empowering local communities to participate in land restoration efforts and providing them with alternative livelihood options.
- Technology Adoption: Utilizing remote sensing and GIS technologies for monitoring land degradation and identifying areas for restoration.
- Promoting Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems to improve soil health and provide additional income.
Conclusion
Desertification poses a severe threat to India’s ecological and economic security. Addressing this challenge requires a holistic and integrated approach, combining natural resource management, sustainable agricultural practices, and community empowerment. Investing in land restoration is not merely an environmental imperative but also a crucial step towards ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and building a climate-resilient future. Continued monitoring, research, and policy support are essential for achieving the national goal of land degradation neutrality by 2030.
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.