Dr Vivak M Arya, Ms Tamanna Sharma
“The environment and the economy are really both sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves.” – Wangari Maathai (African, Nobel Peace Prize winner)
The statement emphasizes that the environment and the economy are interconnected, with the well-being of one directly impacting the other. It highlights the importance of prioritizing environmental sustainability to ensure long-term economic prosperity and overall human well-being. The term “environment” captures the complex web of water, air, and land, and their profound impact on our lives, other living beings, and the earth itself. ” In general, it refers to the totality of all the living and non-living factors and their influence on human life. As bearers of consciousness, the Vedas remind us that we, as part of nature’s diverse tapestry, bear a responsibility to nurture harmonious bonds with all elements of the natural world. While the Vedas permit appreciation and benefit from nature, they also counsel restraint and reverence in our interactions. The essence lies in embracing a symbiotic relationship with the cosmos, whereby we honor nature not as a mere commodity but with reverence. Throughout history, every essential for our survival and prosperity has been provided by the natural world – from sustenance and shelter to medicine and the intricate cycles sustaining life. Despite the allure of industrial progress, our intrinsic reliance on nature remains unaltered, reminding us to cherish and respect our interconnectedness with the source of all life. Environmental deterioration has emerged as a “common concern” for humanity in the last few decades. The distinctive quality of the contemporary environmental problems is the greater contribution of human activity than that of natural processes. The growing economy and careless spending are starting to take a toll on “Mother Nature.” World Environment Day is a global event celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage action for the protection of our environment. This day provides a platform for individuals, communities, and nations to come together and take positive steps towards conserving and enhancing the natural world around us.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, it serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet. The genesis of World Environment Day can be traced back to the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972. This landmark conference brought together world leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates to discuss the growing concerns about environmental degradation. The conference concluded with the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which was tasked with coordinating global environmental efforts.
One of the hallmarks of World Environment Day is its inclusivity and widespread participation. From local communities to international organizations, millions of people come together to celebrate and take action. Activities range from tree planting and clean-up drives to educational workshops and policy advocacy. The event’s global reach ensures that diverse voices are heard, and different perspectives are considered in the quest for environmental sustainability. Ecosystems face threats from all across the world. According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, up to 40% of the planet’s land is degraded, directly harming half of the world’s population. Droughts may affect more than 75 percent of the world’s population by 2050 if immediate action is not taken. The frequency and length of droughts have grown by 29 percent since 2000. In order to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals, it is imperative that ecosystems be protected and revitalised globally, and one of the main tenets of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) is land restoration. Because of this, the theme of World Environment Day (2024) is ‘Land restoration, desertification and drought resilience’ under the slogan”Our Land, Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration. While time cannot be stopped, we can regenerate soils, develop forests, and restore water sources. Our generation has the ability to live in harmony with the land. In 2024, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification will celebrate its 30th anniversary. From December 2-13, 2024, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, will host the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). World Environment Day 2024 will be observed globally, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia serving as host.
Desertification is the term used to describe the degradation of land caused by a variety of factors, such as weather fluctuations and human activity, in dry sub-humid, semi-arid, and dry places. However, the problem transcends the borders of climate change and affects many more people than just those who live in and around desert regions of the world. It threatens the food security and way of life for over two billion people. According to the Desertification and Land deterioration Atlas of India, around 83.69 mha of the country underwent desertification in 2018-19. This was greater than the 81.48 mha in 2003-2005 and 82.64 mha in 2011-13.around 83.69 mha of the country underwent desertification in 2018-19. Out of the total 83.69 m ha million hectares of desertified land, there are 45 million hectares of degraded land in three states alone. A recent analysis found that between 2003 and 2018, six states in northeastern India ranked among the top 10 locations in the nation with the greatest rates of desertification. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya are these states. In northern India, Punjab, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand also saw some of the highest rates.
Natural causes of desertification stem from climatic variability, as prolonged droughts and altered precipitation patterns lead to decreased soil moisture and increased evaporation. Deforestation, whether for logging, agriculture, or urbanization, results in reduced vegetation cover, leading to soil erosion, decreased fertility, and diminished water retention capacity. Overgrazing, a common practice with unsustainable animal husbandry methods, accelerates land degradation by depleting vegetation, compacting soil, and triggering erosion processes. Unsustainable agricultural practices, such as excessive tilling, monocultures, and inadequate irrigation, deteriorate soil quality, decrease productivity, and drive desertification. Urbanization and infrastructure development compact soil, strip it of vegetation cover, and increase its susceptibility to erosion. Furthermore, activities related to mining and extractive industries disrupt natural landscapes, degrade soil quality, and introduce pollutants into the environment, further exacerbating the process of desertification. The impacts of desertification are multifaceted and far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, biodiversity, human health, and socio-economic stability. The loss of vegetation cover and soil erosion resulting from desertification lead to decreased agricultural productivity and food insecurity, exacerbating poverty and limiting livelihood opportunities. The degradation of habitats threatens the survival of plant and animal species, reducing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Increased soil salinity and reduced water availability further hinder agricultural activities and access to clean water for communities, perpetuating a cycle of environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Global initiatives, such as the United Nations’ Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets and the African-led Great Green Wall project, illustrate the power of collective action in combating desertification. By restoring degraded lands, we not only combat desertification but also enhance food security, mitigate climate change, and improve livelihoods, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
(The authors are working in the field of NRM and Climate Change at SKUAST-Jammu)
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