India, laden with approximately 30% of degraded land, is steering towards converging multiple land and water projects to incorporate land degradation issues into national schemes. The aim is to become land degradation-neutral by 2030. This means that any increase in land degradation will be counterbalanced by equivalent advances in land rehabilitation to ensure no net loss of land-based natural assets. To solve this problem, budgets from centre and state land- and water-related schemes are adequate, but a strategic convergence is necessary for better utilization of these resources. From September 2-13, the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 14) to the UNCCD will be hosted in New Delhi. Here, governments are expected to agree on strategic and effective land use and sustainable land management goals.
Background
According to the TERI report titled ‘Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought in India,’ the loss of productive land for various ecosystems is one concern; an even larger one is the deterioration of existing ecosystems. Land degradation and land use changes have been estimated to cost ₹3,17,739 crore annually which translates to 2.54% of India’s GDP in 2014-15, and about 15.9% of the GVA from agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. A substantial 82% of this estimated cost is due to land degradation, with land use change accounting for only 18%.
Projections and Predicaments
Two different scenarios project the land area likely to be degraded by 2030 at 94.53 mha and 106.15 mha respectively. Both scenarios predict a rise in the area affected by water erosion and the area under open forests. India, thus, needs to bolster reclamation efforts in these areas.
Classification of Forest Cover
The forest cover in India is divided broadly into four categories, namely very dense forest, moderately dense forest, open forest and mangrove. The latter have been singled out due to their distinctive tone, texture and ecological functions. Other types include scrub and non-forest.
| Forest Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| Very Dense Forest | All Lands with tree cover (Including mangrove cover) of canopy density of 70% and above |
| Moderately Dense Forest | All lands with tree cover (Including mangrove cover) of canopy density between 40% and 70% |
| Open forest | All lands with tree cover (Including mangrove cover) of canopy density between 10% and 40% |
| Scrub | All forest lands with poor tree growth mainly of small or stunted trees having canopy density less than 10 percent |
| Non-Forest | Any area not included in the above classes |
Causes of Land Degradation
Several factors contribute to land degradation: population pressure, climate change, soil pollution, land use changes, deforestation, poor farming practices, overgrazing, over-irrigation, and urban sprawl.
Efforts to Curb Land Degradation
India is eyeing sustainable land and resource management as a means for community-level livelihood generation, making local lands productive and healthy. In 2001, the National Action Programme was formulated to address desertification issues. Major ongoing programmes include Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), National Afforestation Programme (NAP), National Mission for Green India (GIM), The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Project and more.
Additionally, numerous outreach initiatives and awareness drives have been launched nationwide. The Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, released in 2016, compares the status of 2003-05 and 2011-2013, providing crucial data for action prioritization based on vulnerability and risk assessment.