Steps taken by the government to control desertification

• The Government is implementing several schemes/programmes to combat desertification.

Desertification

• Desertification is a natural or man-made process in which the biological productivity of drylands (arid and semiarid lands) is reduced.
• It does not imply that existing deserts will be expanded.

Various Initiatives taken

National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB)

• Implementing National Afforestation Programme (NAP) for ecological restoration of degraded forests and adjoining areas through people's participation.
• The scheme is implemented through 3 tier institutional set up:

• State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) at State level,
• Forest Development agency (FDA) at Forest Division Level,
• Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) at village level.

• An amount of 157.78 crore has been released to the States/UTs to treat an area of 37110 hectares during 2018-21 under NAP.

National Mission for Green India (GIM)

• It aims at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s forest cover by means of plantation activities in forest and non-forest areas.
• GIM activities were started in the FY 2015-16.
• A sum of Rs. 594.28 Crores have been released to 15 States.
• It aims at the creation of plantations over an area of 117503 hectares.
• In the last three years (2018-19 to 2020-21), an amount of Rs 298.10 crore has been sanctioned, out of which Rs. 233.44 crore has been utilized.

Demand driven action oriented research work

• It is carried out through projects under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS).
• Certain projects include the development of models for land reclamation, soil conservation and watershed management, etc.
• Rs,10.84 crore was sanctioned under NMHS and the entire amount was utilized in the last three years (2018-19 to 2020-21).

Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

• It is implemented under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
• Objective is to develop rainfed and degraded lands.
• The activities undertaken include:
  • Ridge area treatment,
  • Drainage line treatment,
  • Soil and moisture conservation,
  • Rainwater harvesting,
  • Nursery raising,
  • Pasture development,
  • Livelihoods, etc
• It would be done to ensure sustainable development and improved natural resource management with better resilience to climate change.

Way Forward

Ending desertification is the best chance the world has to mitigate the effects of climate change, save biodiversity, and save our health.

Forest protection is a shared obligation that should be carried out by individuals and governments all across the world.

Exam Track

Prelims takeaway

• Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)
• National Mission for Green India (GIM)
• National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB)

Mains Takeaway

Q. Examine the effectiveness of the initiatives taken by the government to combat desertification.