World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June

Symrna Darkmorph
Jun 17
5 min read

Our Planet's Foundation is Crumbling

Think of our planet's land as the foundation for everything we do. Over half of the world's economy, which means our jobs and how we make a living, relies on healthy land and nature. But we're ruining this natural wealth incredibly fast.

Every single minute, an area of land the size of four football fields is lost because of damage. This widespread land damage is causing a lot of problems:

We're losing plants and animals (biodiversity loss).
The risk of droughts is increasing.
Communities are being forced to leave their homes.

These problems have global consequences, leading to higher food prices, instability, and even migration.

Right now, a staggering 40% of all land worldwide is already damaged. This includes issues like desertification (when fertile land turns into desert), general land degradation, and drought. These are some of the biggest environmental challenges we face.

So what the UN doing about it?

UN event: "Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities" June 17, 2025

The Republic of Colombia will host this year’s global observance of Desertification and Drought Day on 17 June, underscoring its commitment to addressing land degradation through nature-based solutions. Held in Bogotá, the event will spotlight the urgent need to scale up land restoration as a catalyst for sustainability, peace and inclusive development, while emphasising the vital role of healthy land in ensuring food, water, jobs and security.

How does desertification, draught or land degradation matter to India?

For India, fixing our damaged land and bringing it back to life is incredibly important. Why? Because it directly impacts our economy and the lives of millions of people.

India's Land Challenge

India is a huge country with over 1.3 billion people, making up 18% of the world's population, yet we only have 2.4% of the world's land. We also have a massive 15% of the world's livestock.

All this pressure on our land has led to problems. About 30% of India's land is degraded, meaning it's damaged. This damage comes from:

Unsustainable use: We're not using our land wisely.
Poor management: We're not taking care of it properly.
Deforestation: Cutting down too many trees.
Over-grazing: Too many animals eating plants in one area.
Other human activities: Various pressures from people.

Simply put, we need to take care of our land to secure our future.

India's Forests and Damaged Land: A Snapshot

How much land is covered by forests and trees in India?

About 24.62% of India's total area is covered by forests and trees. This is roughly 809,537 square kilometers.
Within that, actual dense forest covers 21.71% (about 713,789 square kilometers).
Scattered trees outside of dense forests make up another 2.91% (about 95,748 square kilometers).

How much land in India is damaged (degraded)?

According to the latest study (2018-2019), nearly 30% of India's total land area, or about 97.85 million hectares, is currently suffering from land degradation.
Unfortunately, this problem is slightly getting worse. Compared to earlier studies (96.40 million hectares in 2011-2013 and 94.53 million hectares in 2003-2005), India has seen a small increase in its degraded land.

What are the main causes of this land damage?

The biggest reasons for land degradation and desertification in India are:

Water Erosion: Water washing away the soil. This affects about 11% of the land.
Vegetation Degradation: The quality of plants and green cover is declining. This affects about 9% of the land.
Wind Erosion: Wind blowing away the topsoil. This affects about 5.5% of the land.

Is the Indian Government doing anything?

Yes, Many things...Read Reference 2. The report is full of plans. One thing the government is doing and I can actually see in Delhi, is the National Green Highways Mission.

The Green Highways Policy launched in 2015 aims to promote the greening of highway corridors through the participation of community, farmers, private sector, NGOs, and government institutions. The mission targets the development of a 1,40,000 km long ‘tree line’ with plantation along both sides of the national highway in five years. The goals of the mission contribute towards LDN targets and include the following components:

Development of a systematic framework for integrated green corridor development
Build resilient ecosystems in form of green corridors along national highway
Develop green corridors with aesthetic appeal
Reduce the impact of dust, air and noise pollution
Reduce soil erosion at embankment slopes
Reduce effect of wind and incoming UV rays

What can common people in India do to help combat Desertification and Draught?

Here's what common people in India can do to help combat desertification and drought:

1. Conserve Water at Home:

Fix Leaks: Even a small drip can waste a lot of water. Regularly check taps, pipes, and toilets for leaks and get them repaired immediately.
Be Mindful in the Bathroom: Take shorter showers instead of baths. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing hands. Place a bucket in the shower to collect water for plants or cleaning.
Smart Kitchen Habits: Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water instead of under a running tap. Reuse this water for plants. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full.
Reuse Water: Find ways to reuse greywater (water from washing dishes, clothes, or bathing) for non-drinking purposes like watering gardens or cleaning floors.

2. Practice Water Harvesting and Recharge:

Rainwater Harvesting: If possible, implement rainwater harvesting systems at home (rooftop harvesting) to collect and store rainwater. This can replenish groundwater.
Maintain Local Water Bodies: Support efforts to repair and rejuvenate traditional water sources like ponds, stepwells (baolis), and tanks in your community.
Dig Pits: In your garden or community areas, dig small pits or trenches that can collect rainwater and allow it to seep into the ground, recharging groundwater tables.

3. Plant and Protect Trees:

Plant Native Trees: Plant drought-resistant and native tree species in your garden, balcony, or community spaces. Trees help hold soil together, prevent erosion, improve soil fertility, and attract rainfall.
Participate in Tree Planting Drives: Join local NGOs or community groups that organize tree plantation drives.(e.g., Give me trees trust).
Protect Existing Trees: Be mindful of existing trees and discourage illegal felling. Report any such activities.
Create Green Spaces: Even small green patches, like a kitchen garden or a potted plant collection, contribute to local ecosystems.

4. Adopt Sustainable Land Practices (even on a small scale):

Composting and Organic Waste: Compost your kitchen waste and use it to enrich your garden soil. This improves soil health, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and helps the soil retain moisture.
Avoid Chemical Use: Minimize or avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers in your garden. Opt for organic alternatives to protect soil health and biodiversity.
Mulching: Use organic mulch (like dried leaves, straw, or wood chips) around your plants. This helps retain soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds that compete for water.
Sustainable Gardening: If you have a garden, consider practices like permaculture or creating a "rain garden" that captures and absorbs rainwater.
Support Sustainable Farmers: Choose to buy produce from farmers who practice sustainable and organic farming methods.

5. Educate and Advocate:

Spread Awareness: Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors about the importance of water conservation and land restoration. Share simple tips they can follow.
Join Community Initiatives: Get involved with local environmental groups or NGOs working on water conservation, afforestation, or land restoration projects.
Be a Responsible Consumer: Reduce your overall consumption, especially of products that have a high water footprint or are produced in ways that harm land.
Report Waste: Report water leaks in public areas or instances of severe land degradation to relevant authorities.