CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Combating desertification and land degradation is one of the thrust areas identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Detailed explanation-2: -Around 23.95% of desertification/land degradation is contributed nine states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat and Goa have more than 50% area under desertification/land degradation.

Detailed explanation-3: -Land degradation and Desertification results in problems like soil erosion, loss of natural nutrients, water-logging and salinity and contamination of ground and surface water. Loss of Fertility due to the use of various scientific inputs like irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides etc.

Detailed explanation-4: -Land degradation within dry land regions (arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions) is termed as ‘desertification’. Desertification is the process by which the biological productivity of drylands is reduced due to natural or manmade factors. It does not mean the expansion of existing deserts.

Detailed explanation-5: -Land degradation is the negative change in the capacity of the ecosystem to provide services to humankind. It is a wider term than soil degradation and soil erosion. It is a reduction or loss of biological productivity of land due to natural processes or human activities.