According to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021), published by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, approximately 97.85 million hectares (29.77%) of India's total geographic area is classified as degraded. The atlas provides state-wise details on land degradation and desertification, serving as a critical tool for planning and implementing restoration measures.

Key Highlights

1. States with Highest Desertification:

• Rajasthan: 21,237,669 Ha (largest area under desertification).

• Maharashtra: 14,306,029 Ha.

• Gujarat: 10,248,057 Ha.

2. States with Lowest Desertification:

• Sikkim: 84,610 Ha.

• Delhi: 91,543 Ha.

• Punjab: 167,989 Ha.

3. Geographical Trends:

• Arid and semi-arid regions, such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Ladakh, account for a significant share of degraded land.

• States like Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Odisha also report high levels of land degradation due to deforestation, mining, and agricultural practices.

This data provides critical insights for targeted interventions to combat desertification and restore degraded lands, as outlined in India's National Action Plan for Combatting Desertification.

Government Measures to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification

The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to address land degradation and desertification, including:

1. Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas:

• Published by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, this atlas provides detailed information on degraded land at the state level.

• An online portal has been developed by SAC to correlate degraded land with the processes causing degradation, facilitating targeted interventions.

2. Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Land Management (CoE-SLM):

• Established at the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, the center aims to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

• Objectives include:

• Enhancing South-South cooperation and knowledge sharing.

• Promoting best practices and India's sustainable land management experiences.

• Supporting capacity-building efforts and transformative project ideas.

3. Research by ICFRE-Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), Jodhpur:

• Focuses on developing technologies to increase vegetative cover and conserve biodiversity in hot arid and semi-arid regions of India.

4. Commitments under the Bonn Challenge:

• At the UNFCCC COP 2015 (Paris), India pledged to restore 13 million hectares (mha) of degraded land by 2020 and an additional 8 mha by 2030.

• This target was increased to 26 mha during UNCCD COP 14 (2019).

• IUCN-India is responsible for reporting progress on India’s restoration commitments under the Bonn Challenge.

Afforestation and Forest Management Initiatives

To address desertification and improve forest cover, the Government has implemented several schemes:

1. National Mission for a Green India (GIM):

• Aims to conserve, restore, and enhance India's forest and tree cover while addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation.

2. Forest Fire Protection & Management Scheme (FFPM):

• Supports states and Union Territories in protecting forests from fires and degradation.

3. Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA):

• Provides financial support for afforestation and forest restoration activities.

4. State Government Initiatives:

• Many states implement tree plantation and afforestation schemes to address local land degradation challenges.

 

Combatting desertification and land degradation is an ongoing process. The interplay of environmental conditions, human activities, and land degradation impacts requires regular monitoring,continuous evolution of mitigation and adaptation strategies and adoption of dynamic solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges.Through strategic planning, international commitments, research initiatives, and afforestation programs, India has demonstrated its commitment to combatting land degradation and desertification. The Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021) and supporting initiatives like the Bonn Challenge, Green India Mission, and CAMPA funds reflect a robust framework aimed at restoring degraded lands and achieving sustainable development