Opinion | Rising from the Dust: Global Efforts for Land Restoration and Drought Resilience

“Sowing Hope and Reaping Change”
Every year on June 5th, people around the world celebrate World Environment Day. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about our planet’s most pressing environmental issues and taking action to address them. This year, the focus is on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience that are more important than ever. As our world faces the growing impacts of climate change, the need to focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience has become more urgent than ever. These issues are not just abstract problems; they directly affect millions of lives and the health of our planet. Tackling them head-on is not only necessary but a moral obligation to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. Desertification happens when fertile land turns into desert, often due to drought, deforestation, or poor farming practices. This process affects over a billion people in more than 100 countries. Simply put, desertification means the land can no longer support the plants, animals, and people that depend on it.Climate change makes desertification worse by changing rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency and severity of droughts. Less rain and more intense dry periods mean the soil can’t hold onto moisture, making it harder for plants to grow. As plants die off, the land loses its ability to retain water, creating a cycle of worsening conditions.
Drought resilience is about how well an ecosystem or community can cope with and bounce back from droughts. Building this resilience involves strategies like better water management, using drought-resistant crops, and restoring degraded lands to make them healthier and more productive. In India, these issues demand urgent attention, given the country’s reliance on agriculture and the livelihoods of millions. This year’s focus is on promoting the use of drought-resistant plants as a sustainable solution to combat water scarcity and enhance ecological balance.India, with its diverse climate zones, faces severe water stress. According to the NITI Aayog’s 2018 Composite Water Management Index, about 600 million people in India experience high to extreme water stress. The report also highlights that 21 Indian cities, including major metropolises like Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, could run out of groundwater by 2020. Agriculture, the backbone of the Indian economy, consumes about 80% of the country’s water resources, making water conservation in this sector crucial.Drought-resistant plants are specifically adapted to thrive in arid conditions with minimal water. These plants have unique physiological features such as deep root systems, reduced leaf surface area, and efficient water storage mechanisms. By incorporating drought-resistant plants into agricultural and urban landscaping practices, India can significantly reduce its water consumption and improve agricultural resilience.
Drought-Resistant Plants in India
Millets ,require 30-40% less water than conventional crops like rice and wheat. India is the largest producer of millets, accounting for about 41% of the global production.Promoting millet cultivation can save up to 20 billion cubic meters of water annually.
Quinoa, though traditionally not an Indian crop, is gaining popularity due to its low water requirement of approximately 200-400 mm annually.Its cultivation can be expanded in semi-arid regions, providing a nutritious alternative to water-intensive crops.
Moringa,requires about 1,000 liters of water per kilogram of biomass, significantly lower than many traditional crops. Widely grown in southern India, it offers nutritional benefits and can be used for soil and water conservation.
Tepary beans,these beans thrive in environments with less than 500 mm of annual rainfall.Introducing tepary beans can enhance food security in drought-prone regions.
Aloe Vera ,can survive on minimal water and is highly tolerant of arid conditions.Apart from its medicinal uses, it is excellent for soil conservation and combating desertification.

Success Stories and Initiatives
Several initiatives across India have demonstrated the potential of drought-resistant plants in transforming landscapes and livelihoods:
Karnataka has increased its millet production by 20% since the launch of the Millet Mission in 2017. The initiative promotes millets as climate-smart crops, leading to sustainable agriculture and improved water use efficiency.
Rajasthan’s Arid Research Institute ,this institute focuses on the cultivation of drought-resistant plants, covering over 1,000 hectares in the Thar Desert.The research has improved the livelihoods of over 10,000 farmers in the region through enhanced agricultural productivity.
Tamil Nadu produces over 25% of India’s Moringa, covering approximately 25,000 hectares.The widespread cultivation of Moringa has boosted local economies and contributed to water conservation.
This year’s focus on land restoration and drought resilience is more critical than ever. Let’s delve into why these challenges matter and what steps we can take to address them effectively.
The Growing Challenge of Land Degradation
India faces significant land degradation, affecting approximately 96 million hectares, which is nearly 30% of the country’s total land area. This degradation is caused by various factors, including deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural practices, and industrial activities. Land degradation reduces soil fertility, hampers agricultural productivity, and exacerbates poverty, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is the primary livelihood. Desertification, the process by which fertile land becomes desert, is a major concern for India. Arid and semi-arid regions, such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, are particularly vulnerable. The Thar Desert, for instance, is expanding, threatening local ecosystems and communities. Desertification leads to a loss of biodiversity, reduced water availability, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events, further compounding the challenges faced by these regions. Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, affecting large parts of India, including states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Droughts not only reduce water availability for drinking and irrigation but also lead to crop failures, food insecurity, and economic losses. Building drought resilience is crucial to safeguard the livelihoods of millions and ensure food security.
Why This Year’s Theme Matters-This year’s theme of land restoration and drought resilience is particularly relevant for India due to the following reasons:
Food Security: With a growing population, ensuring food security is paramount. Restoring degraded lands can enhance agricultural productivity and ensure a stable food supply.
Water Conservation: Improved land management practices can enhance groundwater recharge and reduce water scarcity, critical for both agriculture and human consumption.
Economic Stability: Healthy ecosystems support diverse economic activities, from agriculture to tourism. Restoring degraded lands can create job opportunities and drive economic growth.
Climate Mitigation: Healthy soils and vegetation sequester carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. Land restoration is a vital strategy in India’s climate action plan.
Steps Towards Sustainable Solutions-To tackle these challenges head-on, India must adopt a multi-faceted approach:
Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests can combat desertification and improve soil health. Initiatives like the Green India Mission aim to enhance forest cover and biodiversity.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Promoting practices such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming can improve soil fertility and reduce degradation.
Implementing efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and watershed management can enhance water availability and resilience to droughts.
Empowering local communities with knowledge and resources to manage their land sustainably is crucial. Programs that involve community participation in conservation efforts have shown success in various regions.
Strong policies and adequate investment in land restoration projects are essential. Government initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) provide a framework for integrated action.
Addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought resilience is imperative for India’s sustainable development. As climate change exacerbates these challenges, concerted efforts in land restoration and sustainable practices are essential. By focusing on these areas, India can ensure food security, protect livelihoods, and build a resilient future. This year’s theme highlights the urgency and importance of these actions, and it is up to all stakeholders—government, communities, and individuals—to contribute to this critical cause.
As we face the realities of climate change, the focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience is more important than ever. By understanding these challenges and taking action, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

SHEIKH NAZIR
Shykhnazir580@gmail.com