Daily Current Affairs Analysis- 19 June 2024

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2024

Introduction

·        The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed annually on June 17th. In 2024, this day marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

·        This day aims to promote awareness of international efforts to combat desertification and drought and highlights the importance of sustainable land management.

The Event of 2024

Location and Host:
The 2024 event will be held at the UNCCD Secretariat in Bonn, Germany.

UN Call to Action:
Ahead of the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the United Nations has called for support from all generations for sustainable land stewardship.

Theme:
The theme for 2024 is “United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future.”

Recognition:
Ten youngsters will be felicitated as ‘Land Heroes’ for their efforts in land restoration, drought resilience, sustainable agriculture, and innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Land Degradation

Definition:
According to the UNCCD, land degradation refers to the reduction or loss of biological or economic productivity in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas due to various factors, including human activities.

Components of Land Degradation:

• Soil Degradation: Decline in soil productivity due to erosion and changes in soil properties.
• Vegetation Degradation: Reduction in natural biomass and ground cover.
• Water Degradation: Deterioration of surface and groundwater resources.
• Climate Deterioration: Changes in climatic conditions increasing crop failure risks.
• Urban/Industrial Development Losses: Conversion of agricultural land to urban and industrial uses.

Need to Halt Land Degradation:

• Extent: Up to 40% of the world’s land and nearly half of its population are affected, with the loss of four football fields’ worth of land every second.
• Affected Communities: Marginalized groups, including indigenous communities, rural households, and smallholder farmers, are most impacted.
• Economic and Sustainability Opportunities: Engaging youth in land restoration could create 600 million jobs over the next 15 years, contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Land Degradation in India:

• Extent: In 2018-19, India had an estimated 97.84 million hectares of degraded land.
• Government Measures:
• Observation: An online portal developed by the Space Application Center (SAC), Ahmedabad, visualizes degraded land areas and the processes causing degradation.
• South-South Collaboration: A Centre of Excellence at the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Dehradun focuses on knowledge sharing, best practices, and capacity building.
• Bonn Challenge: India pledged to restore 21 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, increased to 26 million hectares during COP14 in 2019.
• Coastal Habitat Rehabilitation: Tamil Nadu is implementing a bio shield formation project to rehabilitate coastal habitats from 2023 to 2026.

About: The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

About:
The UNCCD is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.

Members:
There are 197 parties to the convention, including 196 countries and the European Union.

Secretariat:
The permanent secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.

Principles:
The convention is based on participation, partnership, and decentralization.

Areas of Focus:
The convention specifically addresses drylands, including arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid ecosystems.

Conferences of the Parties (COPs):
Held every two years, these conferences bring together parties to discuss and implement strategies.

Financial Mechanism:
The Global Mechanism facilitates the mobilization of financial resources to address desertification, land degradation, and drought.

UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework:
This framework aims to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by restoring degraded land, improving livelihoods for over 1.3 billion people, and reducing drought impacts on vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2024 serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for sustainable land management practices. Through global cooperation and innovative solutions, we can combat land degradation, support affected communities, and build a sustainable future for all.

Relevance in UPSC Exam

Prelims

• Facts and Data: Questions may revolve around factual data such as the date of the adoption of the UNCCD, key anniversaries, themes of international days, and statistics on land degradation.
• Current Events: Keeping track of significant events and international conferences related to desertification and drought.

Mains

• Essay: Topics related to environmental sustainability, land degradation, and international efforts to combat desertification can be important themes for essays.
• GS Paper I (Geography): Detailed questions on the processes and impacts of land degradation, examples of affected regions, and measures to combat these issues.
• GS Paper II (International Relations): Detailed analysis of international conventions like the UNCCD, India’s role in global environmental governance, and bilateral or multilateral initiatives.
• GS Paper III (Environment and Ecology): Questions on conservation efforts, specific case studies of land restoration, and government measures to combat land degradation in India

Probable Mains Question

"Discuss the impact of land degradation on sustainable development and the role of international conventions in mitigating its effects."

Suggested Answer-

Introduction

Land degradation is a significant environmental issue affecting nearly 40% of the world's land and impacting almost half of the global population. It involves the deterioration of land quality and productivity due to various factors such as deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanization, and climate change. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), adopted on June 17, 1994, plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD in 2024, it is imperative to evaluate the impact of land degradation on sustainable development and the effectiveness of international conventions in combating this issue.

Demand of the Question

Impact of Land Degradation on Sustainable Development:

1.     Environmental Impact:

o    Biodiversity Loss: Land degradation leads to habitat destruction, resulting in the loss of plant and animal species.

o    Soil Erosion: The productive capacity of soil declines, affecting agricultural output and food security.

o    Water Quality: Degradation leads to sedimentation in water bodies, reducing water quality and availability.

2.     Economic Impact:

o    Agricultural Productivity: Reduced soil fertility directly impacts agricultural yields, leading to economic losses for farmers.

o    Economic Opportunities: Land degradation affects livelihoods, particularly in rural areas dependent on agriculture.

o    Cost of Restoration: The financial burden of restoring degraded land is substantial and often exceeds the economic benefits derived from the land.

3.     Social Impact:

o    Food Security: Declining agricultural productivity threatens food security, particularly in vulnerable regions.

o    Migration: Degraded lands force communities to migrate, leading to urban overpopulation and associated socio-economic challenges.

o    Health: Poor soil and water quality can lead to health issues among populations relying on these resources.

Role of International Conventions:

1.     United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):

o    Framework and Goals: UNCCD provides a legally binding framework to combat desertification and mitigate drought impacts through sustainable land management.

o    Global Commitment: It has 197 parties committed to addressing land degradation, focusing on arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas.

o    Strategic Framework (2018-2030): The framework aims to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), improve livelihoods for over 1.3 billion people, and reduce drought impacts.

2.     Conferences of the Parties (COPs):

o    Collaborative Efforts: COPs facilitate international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of innovative solutions to combat land degradation.

o    Financial Mechanism: The Global Mechanism under the UNCCD mobilizes financial resources to implement sustainable land management practices.

3.     National and Regional Initiatives:

o    Bonn Challenge: India’s commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge highlights the role of national initiatives in supporting international goals.

o    South-South Collaboration: Initiatives like the Centre of Excellence at the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) in Dehradun focus on knowledge sharing and capacity building in sustainable land management.

Way Forward

Strengthening International Cooperation:

1.     Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between countries to share best practices, technology, and resources for land restoration.

2.     Financial Support: Increase financial contributions to the Global Mechanism to support large-scale land restoration projects.

National and Local Actions:

1.     Policy Integration: Integrate land degradation and sustainable land management into national development policies and plans.

2.     Community Involvement: Engage local communities in land restoration efforts, ensuring their participation and ownership of the initiatives.

Technological and Innovative Solutions:

1.     Research and Development: Invest in research to develop innovative solutions for sustainable land management and restoration.

2.     Technology Transfer: Facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge from developed to developing countries to enhance their capacity to combat land degradation.

Educational and Awareness Programs:

1.     Awareness Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of sustainable land management.

2.     Capacity Building: Provide training and capacity-building programs for farmers, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in land management.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

1.     Regular Assessment: Implement regular monitoring and evaluation of land restoration projects to assess their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

2.     Data Collection: Enhance data collection and analysis to inform policy decisions and track progress towards achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

Climate Change Mitigation:

1.     Sustainable Practices: Promote sustainable agricultural practices that reduce land degradation and enhance resilience to climate change.

2.     Carbon Sequestration: Implement land management practices that enhance carbon sequestration and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

Conclusion

The impact of land degradation on sustainable development is profound, affecting environmental health, economic stability, and social well-being. International conventions like the UNCCD play a crucial role in mitigating these effects through collaborative efforts and strategic frameworks. However, achieving sustainable land management requires concerted efforts at global, national, and local levels, involving policy integration, technological innovation, and community engagement. By strengthening international cooperation, enhancing financial support, and promoting sustainable practices, we can combat land degradation and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Practice MCQs for Prelims

1.     When was the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) adopted?

o    a) June 17, 1992

o    b) June 17, 1994

o    c) June 17, 1996

o    d) June 17, 1998

Answer: b) June 17, 1994
Explanation: The UNCCD was adopted on June 17, 1994, in Paris, to address desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.

2.     What is the theme for World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2024?

o    a) Land and Life

o    b) Restore Our Earth

o    c) United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future

o    d) Sustainable Land Management

Answer: c) United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future
Explanation: The theme for 2024 is "United for Land: Our Legacy. Our Future," emphasizing sustainable land stewardship.

3.     Which body facilitates the mobilization of financial resources to implement the UNCCD?

o    a) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

o    b) Global Mechanism (GM)

o    c) World Bank

o    d) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Answer: b) Global Mechanism (GM)
Explanation: The Global Mechanism, established under Article 21 of the UNCCD, facilitates the mobilization of financial resources for combating desertification.

4.     What is the estimated extent of land degradation and desertification in India as per the 2018-19 Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas?

o    a) 47.84 million hectares

o    b) 67.84 million hectares

o    c) 87.84 million hectares

o    d) 97.84 million hectares

Answer: d) 97.84 million hectares
Explanation: The 2018-19 Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India estimates the extent of degraded land at 97.84 million hectares.

5.     Which initiative did India join to restore degraded land, pledging to restore 26 million hectares by 2030?

o    a) Paris Agreement

o    b) Bonn Challenge

o    c) Kyoto Protocol

o    d) Glasgow Pact

Answer: b) Bonn Challenge
Explanation: India joined the voluntary Bonn Challenge, pledging to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.