Land degradation neutrality in India: A dynamic process

Abstract

Soil erosion, forest fires, emission of fossil fuels, pollution, burden of diseases, disasters, demography, urbanization, transformations in living standards, epidemics and pandemics are challenging lives and livelihoods. Neutrality of land degradation, carbon footprints and climate change is called upon to harness sustainable development goals (SDGs). Integration of efficient use and conservation of soil, water, air quality/wind velocity, vegetation and biodiversity requires consistent attention of all stakeholders. The recent developments in land aggradations’ by solar, wind, agriculture farming and their co-placement on the same unit of land, where ever feasible, were inadequately deliberated in the Webinar. Roles of glaciers, wetlands, sea coast, islands, unique niche agro-ecologies and biodiversity of vegetative cover needs further integration with the land degradation neutrality (LDN). Very unique, innovative and out of box enabling policies, programmes, governance, transparency and community participation cutting across soil, water, air and vegetation improved robustness of LDN. Circulatory economy of conservation, producing renewable energy, bio-manure, carbon management and green employment is emphasized for mitigating land degradation. Simultaneous occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic, floods, cyclones and locust swarm seems to have recalibrated new normal, digital platforms, lives, livelihood and LDN. Our aim should be to convert risks into opportunities and weaknesses into strengths.