What is Land Degradation Neutrality? What are the efforts being made in India in this regard? Discuss.

Structure of the Answer

1. Define Land Degradation (LDN)
2. Discuss the reasons for Land Degradation.
3. Discuss the steps that can be taken to address LDN.
4. Discuss the steps taken by the Government in this regard.
5. Give a suitable conclusion.

MODEL ANSWER:

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is a state where the amount of land resources necessary to support ecosystem services and functions and enhance food security remains stable or increases in any given area and time. There are various factors which aid land degradation such as-

• Overexploitation of land: India has 2.4% of the world’s total land area and supports 17% of the world’s population. – 86% of the farmers own less than 2 hectares of land (small and marginal farmers), extensive farming with excessive use of fertilizers, over-irrigation, lack of crop rotation leads to degradation of land.

– Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion (roads, rails, factories etc.) has led to encroachment of land and its deterioration.

• Overgrazing: India has 20% of the world’s total cattle population. Overgrazing has led to land degradation.

• Water logging: Flood irrigation, poor drainage of water, frequent floods, etc. leads to waterlogging. This has led to soil salination and thus land degradation.

• Soil erosion: High-speed winds and river runoff leads to erosion of top fertile layer of soil. Deforestation has further compounded this problem.

• Climate change: Climate change has led to increase in frequency and intensity of floods, tsunami, cyclones etc. Waterlogging, salination, surface runoff associated with these natural calamities have further aggravated soil degradation.

To achieve this target India is making several efforts as mentioned below:-

• Afforestation: India’s forest cover has increased by 1.1% as per the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR)-2019. India is targeting to achieve 33% forest cover according to its National Forest Policy.

– Government is undertaking the National Afforestation Programme, Green India Mission (GIM) and Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFTM) for the development of forest areas.

• Water management:
– Integrated watershed management protects the catchment area through soil and water conservation.

– PM Krishi Sinchaye Yojna with the objective of Per Drop More Crop, enhances water use efficiency and thus prevent over-irrigation.

• Sustainable farm practices:

– ‘Soil Health Card’ scheme aims to prevent indiscriminate and over use of fertilizers.

– Micro-irrigation projects and technologies prevent over-irrigation.
– Crop diversification will help preserve the fertility of the soil.

The land is a scarce resource. With 2.4% of the world area, India has to support 17% of the world’s human population and 20% of the cattle population. Being an emerging economy, urbanisation, industrial and infrastructural development has further put pressure on land resource. Thus achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) becomes more important for India.

Apart from commitments under Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 15) to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, India has additionally pledged to reclaim atleast 26 million hectares wasteland at COP14 of UNCCD held at Delhi.