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NASIR ALI
World Environment Day (WED), celebrated annually on June 5th, is a global initiative led by the United Nations to raise awareness and drive action on pressing environmental issues. Since its inception in 1974, WED has mobilized millions worldwide, fostering environmental stewardship and encouraging sustainable practices to protect our planet. Each year, it highlights a specific theme to address the most urgent environmental challenges.
In An Interview, Mehru Nissa, Who Holds A Master’s Degree In Environmental Science And Currently Lectures At Kashmir Harvard Higher Secondary Institute, Shares Her Insights On World Environment Day.
Q: AS THE WORLD GRAPPLES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES, WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) SERVES AS A POIGNANT REMINDER OF THE URGENT NEED FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S THEME AND ITS IMPORTANCE?
This year the theme, “Restoring Degraded Land into Productive Assets,” Our land Our future calls attention to one of the most pressing issues of our time – land degradation driven by factors such as deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, urbanization, and climate change is posing a grave threat to ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide. Land degradation by itself or in combination with climate change can have profound implications for natural resource-based livelihood systems, food security, economies, biodiversity, and the overall well-being of communities worldwide. It is a cause of concern and calls for concerted efforts to address the same.
Q: WHAT ROLE DOES LAND RESTORATION PLAY IN GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS, AND WHAT ARE SOME KEY INITIATIVES?
Land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world. Land degradation is also a part of Sustainable Development Goal 15 which calls for reversing the same. 2024 will mark the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) adopted in 1994. India, being a party to the Convention, has committed to attaining land neutrality and restoring 26 lakh hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Q: HOW SEVERE IS THE ISSUE OF LAND DEGRADATION GLOBALLY, AND WHICH REGIONS ARE MOST AFFECTED?
The number and duration of droughts have increased by 29 percent since 2000 – without urgent action, droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population by 2050 (WMO 2021). Of the world’s 1.2 billion hectares with moderate to severe land degradation, the largest areas are in Asia and Africa. Central America has the highest percentage and worst degrees of land degradation (International Soil Reference & Information Centre, ISRIC).
Q: DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR TRANSFORMING DEGRADED LAND INTO PRODUCTIVE ASSETS?
Many countries facing land degradation are focusing on turning unproductive land into healthy and resourceful land to bring economic resilience and counter food insecurity. For example, the UAE has launched the “Greening the Desert” initiative, which involves planting native vegetation and implementing sustainable agriculture practices in arid areas. Central American countries participate in the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Program, and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR 100) aims to restore 100 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes across Africa by 2030.
Q: HOW IS LAND DEGRADATION IMPACTING SPECIFIC REGIONS LIKE KASHMIR, AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN DRIVERS?
In Kashmir, rapid urbanization, unsustainable land use practices, encroachments, and population growth are putting immense pressure on the region’s delicate ecosystems. Deforestation driven by the conversion of forests into agricultural land or for urban development disrupts the ecological balance, leading to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and diminished water retention capacity. Unsustainable agricultural practices, including the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, degrade soil quality over time.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR RESTORING DEGRADED LAND?
Restoring degraded land involves a multifaceted approach, ranging from afforestation and reforestation to sustainable land management practices. By harnessing the power of nature-based solutions, such as agroforestry and soil conservation techniques, communities can revitalize degraded ecosystems while enhancing their resilience to climate change.
Q: WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE US WITH ON THIS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY?
On this World Environment Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to restoring degraded land and building a sustainable future for all. By working together, we can turn the tide of environmental degradation and ensure that our planet remains a vibrant and thriving home for generations to come.
