The editorial “Revitalizing Land Management for Sustainable Progress” underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the challenges of land management in the context of sustainable development. It highlights the detrimental effects of unsustainable land practices, such as deforestation, soil degradation, and habitat destruction, which not only threaten biodiversity but also exacerbate climate change and compromise food security. The analysis emphasizes the importance of adopting integrated approaches that prioritize conservation, restoration, and responsible land use planning. By implementing effective policies and harnessing technological innovations, stakeholders can work towards achieving a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental preservation, thereby ensuring a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Tag: GS – 3 Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Government Policies & Interventions GS – 2 Important International Institutions
In News:
A recent article underscores the imperative for immediate intervention in an area of public policy and human well-being that has been neglected in the past: addressing the long-term sustainability of land, soil, and water resources.
Current Status of Land Degradation: Global Overview
Global Disparities in Land Degradation
- Sub-Saharan Africa, Western and Southern Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean experience land degradation rates exceeding the global average.
- Eastern and Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean face severe degradation affecting at least 20% of their total land area.
Trends in Land Degradation (2015-2019)
- Sub-Saharan Africa’s degraded land increased from 6.7% to 14.63%.
- Western Asia and Northern Africa witnessed an increase from 3.78% to 7.18%.
India’s Land Degradation (2015-2019)
- India reported 30.51 million hectares of degraded land, reaching 9.45% of the country’s landmass in 2019.
- 251.71 million Indians (18.39% of the population) were exposed to land degradation.
Causes of Land Degradation
- Human-Induced Soil Degradation Identified by GLASOD
- Soil Erosion and Nutrient Depletion
- Deforestation
- Overgrazing by Livestock
- Traditional Farming Practices
- Loss of Vegetative Cover
- Population Growth
- Impact of Climate Change
Challenges in Land Degradation Management in India
- Acute Disparity Between Land Area and Population
- Competition Between Agriculture and Other Sectors
- Adverse Effects of Climate Change
- Sectoral Approach to Land Management
- Inadequate Land Management Practices
Suggestions for Effective Land Degradation Management
- Setting Up Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
- Engaging farmers, policymakers, civil society, and investors.
- Utilizing district planning committees for comprehensive land management plans.
- Adopting the Climate-Smart Landscape Approach
- Assessing land potential and reallocating for appropriate uses.
- Contributing to climate objectives, increased agricultural production, and biodiversity conservation.
- Promoting Integrated Landscape Management
- Recognizing land as a system and fostering integrated approaches.
- Institutional support for sustainable land management.
- Involvement of Different Actors
- Parliamentarians initiating discussions on integrated land management challenges.
- Inclusive policymaking for long-term sustainability.
- Country Level Stock-Taking
- Implementing the IPCC’s recommendation for country-level assessments.
- Prioritizing land management options with co-benefits and minimal negative impacts.
- FAO’s Urgent Call
- Acknowledging the urgency in caring for the long-term future of land, soil, and water.
- Recognizing the critical role of public policy and human welfare in land conservation.
Conclusion
- Land serves as a cornerstone for diverse human activities, offering ecological, economic, social, and cultural services. Unfortunately, its multi-faceted importance is frequently disregarded, resulting in heightened stress, degradation, and environmental depletion.
- In the context of India, grappling with a constrained geographical expanse and a substantial agricultural-dependent population, the task of sustainable land management presents formidable challenges. To surmount these challenges, the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform at district and sub-district levels, coupled with a landscape-oriented approach, proves pivotal. These strategies can effectively harmonize sectoral interests and secure the enduring sustainability of vital land resources.
| UPSC Previous Year Questions Prelims (2016) Q. What is/are the importance/importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’? 1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships. 2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (c) Mains (2020)Q. The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. Mains (2016)Q. In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India? |
Source: TH
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is revitalizing land management crucial for sustainable progress?
A: Revitalizing land management is crucial because land is a finite and essential resource that sustains life. Effective management ensures biodiversity conservation, mitigates climate change impacts, and enhances food security while fostering sustainable economic development.
Q: What are the key challenges facing land management today?
A: The key challenges include deforestation, soil degradation, habitat loss, land pollution, and unsustainable agricultural practices. These activities threaten ecosystems, compromise biodiversity, and contribute to climate change, posing significant obstacles to achieving sustainability goals.
Q: How can integrated approaches help in revitalizing land management?
A: Integrated approaches combine conservation, restoration, and responsible land use planning to address multifaceted challenges. By coordinating efforts across sectors and stakeholders, these approaches optimize resource utilization, promote resilience, and support sustainable development outcomes.
Q: What role do policies play in revitalizing land management?
A: Policies provide a regulatory framework for land management practices, guiding actions towards sustainability. Well-designed policies incentivize conservation efforts, regulate land use activities, and promote sustainable practices, creating an enabling environment for effective land management.
Q: What opportunities exist for leveraging technology in land management revitalization?
A: Technology offers innovative solutions for monitoring, mapping, and managing land resources. Remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and data analytics enable better decision-making, precision agriculture, and early detection of environmental changes, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of land management efforts.
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