Desertification is a type of land degradation in which biological production is lost as a result of natural processes or human activity, causing productive areas to become progressively dry. It is the extension of arid areas in relation of a multitude of factors, including climate change and human-caused soil overexploitation. The formation of deserts has occurred naturally throughout geological history. Many scientific studies have recently been conducted on the possible effects of human activity, poor land management, deforestation, and climate change on desertification. This article will explain to you about Desertification which will be helpful in preparing the Environment syllabus for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Causes of Desertification

Desertification can be caused by two factors namely natural and anthropogenic causes.

Man-Made Causes

• Overgrazing: Overgrazing occurs when there are too many cows or other animals eating grass in a given region, causing environmental degradation.
• It diminishes the land's utility, production, and biodiversity.
• Between 2005 and 2015, India lost nearly 31% of its grasslands which is relatively a high figure.
• Deforestation: The intentional clearance of forested areas is known as deforestation.
• A forest works as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
• Deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect by releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.
• Farming Practices: Slash-and-burn agriculture puts the state at risk of soil erosion.
• The mineral content of the soil is disturbed by heavy tilling and overirrigation.
• Overexploitation of Resources: Land is becoming more prone to desertification as demand for land resources rises owing to concerns such as overcrowding.

Natural Causes

• Natural Disasters: Soil Erosion is caused by natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and landslides.
• Fertile soil is being displaced as a result. This eventually causes desertification.
• Water Erosion: The erosion of water leads to Badland Topography. This is a stage of desertification in and of itself.
• Wind Erosion: Wind invasion diminishes soil fertility, making the region vulnerable to desertification.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Causes of Desertification

Status of Indian Desertification

• Desertification is destroying India's cultivated lands.
• 96 million hectares, or over 29% of India's total land area, are being degraded.
• According to data recently given to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), India lost 31 percent of its grassland acreage in a decade, or 5.65 million hectares (mha).
• In India, degraded land covers over 105 million hectares or about 32% of the country's total land area.
• Between 2003-05 and 2011-13, the level of desertification in 26 of India's 29 states increased.
• Only nine states account for more than 80% of the country's damaged land.

Control Measures of Desertification

Command Area Development

• It was established in 1974 with the goal of maximizing irrigation potential and optimizing agricultural production through effective water management.
• The Ministry of Water Resources manages the program's implementation with state governments.

Integrated Watershed Management Programme

• It was first released in 1989-90.
• With the formation of Rural Employment, it attempts to restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving, and developing deteriorated natural resources.
• In 2003, it was dubbed "Haryali Guidelines."
• It is now part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (2015-16 to 2019-20), which is being executed by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Ayog).

Desert Development Programme

• It began in 1995 with the goal of reducing the negative effects of drought and revitalizing the natural resource base of the specified desert areas.
• It was designed for the hot deserts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana, as well as the frigid deserts of Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
• The Ministry of Rural Development is in charge of implementing it.
• The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was signed by India in 1994 and ratified in 1996.

Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Projects and Flood Prone Rivers

• Both projects have been combined and implemented since 2000.
• The plan attempts to restore optimum crop production by addressing the physical characteristics and productive status of alkali soils.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is in charge of implementing it.

National Afforestation Programme

• The National Afforestation Program (NAP) aims to reforest the country.
• Since the year 2000, it has been used to reforest degraded forest tracts.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change are in charge of implementing it.

National Action Programme to Combat Desertification

• It was developed in 2001 in order to address the growing problem of desertification and to make necessary responses.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change are in charge of implementing it.

Fodder and Feed Development Scheme

• It was first launched in 2010.
• Its goal is to rehabilitate degraded grassland as well as the vegetation cover of difficult soils such as saline, acidic, and heavy soil.
• The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Diaries are in charge of implementing it.

National Mission on Green India

• It's part of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NAPCC).
• With a 10-year deadline, it was adopted in 2014 with the goal of maintaining, restoring, and upgrading India's declining forest cover.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change is in charge of implementing it.

Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India

• ISRO released this information in 2016.
• One of the major areas covered by it is the fight against desertification and land degradation.

Global Efforts to Prevent Desertification

• The Bonn Challenge: By 2020, to restore 150 million hectares of deforested and damaged land around the world, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
• Goal 15 of Sustainable Development Goal, 2030 (SDG 15): "We are dedicated to protecting the earth from destruction, especially through sustainable consumption and production," the statement said.
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): It is an international treaty that aims to combat desertification.
• It is the only legally enforceable international agreement combining environment and development with sustainable land management, having been formed in 1994.
• Every year on June 17th, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is commemorated.
• Great Green Wall: The Great Green Wall is a GEF initiative in which eleven countries in Sahel-Saharan Africa have pooled their resources to combat soil degradation and restore native plant life to the area.

Conclusion

Desertification and deterioration of ecosystem services in drylands, if left unchecked, may jeopardize future increases in human well-being and may even reverse gains in some areas. Moreover, preventing desertification is the best chance the world has to mitigate the effects of climate change, protect wildlife, and safeguard our well-being. Forest protection is a shared obligation that should be carried out by individuals and governments all across the world.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the main human-induced cause of desertification?

A) Deforestation
B) Climate change
C) Flooding
D) Earthquake

2. Which of the following is an example of a technique used to combat desertification?

A) Slash and burn agriculture
B) Rainwater harvesting
C) Overgrazing
D) Monoculture cropping

3. Which of the following practices can lead to desertification?

A) Crop rotation
B) Sustainable farming
C) Overgrazing
D) Afforestation

4. What is the primary impact of desertification on local communities?

A) Increased agricultural production
B) Improved biodiversity
C) Loss of livelihood due to reduced agricultural productivity
D) Enhanced water availability

5. Which of the following regions is most vulnerable to desertification?

A) Temperate forests
B) Tropical rainforests
C) Arid and semi-arid regions
D) Coastal wetlands

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of desertification. What strategies can be adopted to mitigate its effects?

Answer: Desertification has profound environmental, social, and economic impacts. Environmentally, it leads to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystems. Socially, it affects local communities by reducing agricultural productivity, leading to food insecurity, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. Economically, desertification leads to the decline in agricultural revenues, reduced employment opportunities, and increased poverty in affected regions. Strategies to mitigate desertification include sustainable land management practices, afforestation and reforestation, water conservation, soil restoration techniques like contour plowing, and promoting crop diversification. Additionally, international cooperation and awareness programs on sustainable farming practices are critical to addressing desertification on a global scale.

Q2: Discuss the role of afforestation in preventing desertification. How can it be effectively implemented in desert-prone regions?

Answer: Afforestation plays a critical role in preventing desertification by stabilizing the soil, improving moisture retention, and reducing wind erosion. Planting trees in desert-prone regions helps restore vegetation cover, which in turn increases the fertility of the soil and improves water infiltration. In desert regions, drought-resistant and native plant species should be prioritized. Effective implementation involves community participation, local government support, and coordination with environmental organizations to ensure that afforestation projects are sustainable and suitable for local conditions. Successful examples of afforestation in desert-prone areas include the Green Wall in Africa and desert reclamation projects in India.

Q3: Analyze the relationship between climate change and desertification. How does climate change exacerbate desertification processes?

Answer: Climate change and desertification are closely linked, as changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can accelerate the process of desertification. Rising temperatures and reduced rainfall in arid and semi-arid regions exacerbate soil erosion, reduce vegetation cover, and increase evaporation rates, which in turn makes the land more prone to desertification. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and storms further degrades the land. To mitigate the effects of climate change on desertification, it is crucial to implement climate-resilient agricultural practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and focus on sustainable land management strategies that promote ecosystem health and resilience.

Previous Year Questions on Desertification

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2022:

Question: Which of the following is a major cause of desertification?

A) Overuse of chemical fertilizers
B) Deforestation and overgrazing
C) Water conservation practices
D) Afforestation

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Deforestation and overgrazing are major causes of desertification. These activities lead to soil erosion, loss of vegetation cover, and degradation of the land, which eventually results in desertification.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 3):

Question: What measures can be taken to mitigate desertification in India? Discuss both policy and practical solutions.

Answer: Measures to mitigate desertification in India include implementing sustainable land management practices, such as crop rotation, soil conservation techniques, and efficient water use. The promotion of agroforestry, afforestation, and reforestation with drought-resistant plants can help restore degraded land. Additionally, policies that regulate overgrazing, deforestation, and urban expansion are necessary. Practical solutions include community involvement in land restoration projects, awareness programs for farmers, and improving irrigation techniques. The Indian government’s efforts, such as the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification, focus on addressing these issues with a focus on sustainability and long-term environmental health.