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DESERTIFICATION

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What is desertification?

Land degradationloss of lands biological

productivity

One of worlds most alarming processes

Caused by human activities and climate

change

It is the persistent degradation of drylandecosystems by human activities and climatic

variations.

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THE PROCESS OF DESERTIFICATION

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HOW DOES DESERTIFICATION

OCCUR?

Human activities

Climatic conditions

Biological diversity

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CAUSES & FACTORS

Climatic factors

Technological factors

Economic factors

Deforestation

Population pressure

Over exploitation ofnatural resources

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Globalization leading to

desertification

Global trade regimes and linked government

policies influence food and consumption

On the other hand, Improved access to

agricultural inputs (like fertilizers, pesticides,

and farm machinery) and export markets

typically boosts productivity.

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THE ECOLOGICAL AND

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS

OF DESERTIFICATION

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The negative impacts of

desertification are twofold:

Socio-economic

Ecological

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It changes soil quality, damages soil

structure and leads to the loss of soil

nutrients

It changes land surface characteristics

It reduces the agricultural productivity of

the land

It leads to the loss of Ecosystem diversity

ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Soil Resources

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It changes water quality and

quantity

It causes loss of productivity

and impairment of aquatic

ecosystems

Water Resources

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It leads to the

reduction in

biodiversity

It reduces plant

composition and

abundance

Wildlife, Plants And People

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It affects the regional and global energy

balance, reduce carbon sequestration and

storage and increase carbon dioxide emission

contributing to the greenhouse effect

It undermines the structure and functions of

ecological systems such as biogeochemical

cycles (i.e. carbon, hydrological, and nutrient

cycles)

Climate

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SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS

It can worsens the effects of poverty and dependence

It weakens populations and institutions

It reduces food security

Socio-economic development is disequilibrium

Dryland populations are often socially and politically

marginalized

Crop production, livestock and dairy production is

constrained.

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Geographical extent of

desertification

20% of the dry lands is suffering from human-

induced soil degradation.

70% of dry lands (excluding hyper-arid areas) were

suffering from soil and or vegetation degradation

10% of global dry lands (including hyper-arid areas)

are degradedas on 2003

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EXTENT OF DESERTIFICATION

GLOBALLY

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EXTENT OF DESERTIFICATION

GLOBALLY

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Some more examples ofdesertification trends

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COMBATING DESERTIFICATION GLOBALLY

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MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBATDESERTIFICATION

Terracing

Contour Ploughing

Crops can be grown on ridges and along slopes

Mix Cropping

Steep slopes should be used for forest and

pasture

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Contour Ploughing

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Raising awareness of the problem

Planting and protecting indigenous trees and shrubs

Using alternative sources of energy

Mobilizing and involving people

Development of local crops and rural markets

The creation of a culture ofprevention

Integrated land and water management

United Nations Convention to CombatDesertification (UNCCD)

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DESERTIFICATION IN INDIA

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ONE- FOURTH OF INDIA HEADED FOR

DESERTIFICATION

TOTAL AREA UNDER DESERTIFICATION --81.45 MN HECT

Desertification because of :

water erosion -- 26.21 million hectares

wind erosion -- 17.77 million hectares

degradation of vegetation -- 17.63 million hectares

frost shattering -- 9.47 million hectares

other reasons -- 10.37 million hectares

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Measures to Combat Desertification-

INDIA India became a signatory to the UNCCD on 14th October

1994.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodalMinistry in the Government of India for the UNCCD.

National Action Programme (NAP) to combat

desertification(Yr 2001).

Programmes and monitoring mechanism to Control

Desertification.

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CONCLUSION

Implementation of new laws and regulations

Enforcement of existing laws and regulations

Raising awareness about the problem.

Mobilizing and involving people in the fight against

desertification through education

Reintroducing and promoting traditional farming practices

Developing and Promoting sustainable agricultural practices

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Restoration

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THE END