Silent Demise of Mother Earth

Land is a fundamental resource integral to the cycles of air, water, nutrition, and energy. It acts as both a source and a sink for greenhouse gases (GHGs), playing a crucial role in climate change adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. Desertification and land degradation (DLD) pose significant threats to the long-term balance of local and global ecosystems. As DLD spreads, it reduces fertile land, undermines livelihoods, over-exploits natural resources, forces migration, and triggers conflicts. Sustainable development, forward-thinking management, and efficient use of natural resources are essential to overcoming these challenges. Today, the future of our land is at stake and an increasing number of people and regions around the globe are at risk from drought, desertification, and land degradation. Over 2 billion hectares of land worldwide are degraded and each year, an estimated 12 million hectares of land are lost to degradation, impacting global food and water sources. Land degradation affects 40% of the world's population, or 3.2 billion people, disproportionately impacting rural communities, smallholder farmers, and the impoverished, who are the least equipped to cope. Around 55 million people are affected annually in nearly every region due to the droughts which pose the greatest threat to crops and livestock. By 2040, land degradation could lead to a 12% decrease in global food productivity and a 30% increase in food costs.

Climate change exacerbates desertification and land degradation by causing more frequent and intense droughts, heat waves, and wildfires. In fact, currently the world is grappling under intense heat waves, threatening human survival as well as biodiversity. Deforestation and soil degradation leads to soil erosion and a lack of clean water, disrupting Earth's natural processes. It also damages grasslands, drylands, and forests which are key carbon reservoirs, thereby worsening climate change and threatens the extinction of one million species. Agriculture is a major contributor to land degradation, with an estimated 50% of savannahs and 70% of grasslands worldwide destroyed or altered by cultivation. According to United Nations (UN), escalating climate crisis, drought, desertification, and land degradation may force 135 million people to migrate by 2030. This degradation threatens human rights to life, health, food, water, and a clean environment. If ecosystem services continue to decline, the global Gross Domestic Product could suffer an estimated loss of US$10 trillion by 2050. Every year, drought and desertification result in the loss of 12 million hectares of land, which could otherwise produce 20 million tons of grain, putting millions at risk of food insecurity. Land restoration is a crucial focus of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which aims to protect and revive ecosystems worldwide, essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Restoring just 15 percent of converted land in strategic areas could prevent 60 percent of anticipated species extinctions, emphasizing the significant impact of restoration efforts on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Conserving and restoring ecosystems can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and its related disasters. By restoring forests, grasslands, barren lands, wetlands, and rivers to their full capacity, can enhance their ability to store carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of disasters. Each penny invested in ecosystem restoration, which involves halting and reversing degradation, yields up to 2495.24 INR in ecosystem services. Furthermore, these efforts contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, serving as a blueprint for a more sustainable and prosperous future for humanity.

In recent years, at Global level considerable progress has been made towards restoration of degraded landscapes. At present, between 765 million and 1 billion hectares are designated for restoration efforts. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for almost half of the area slated for restoration, with significant commitments also observed in Asia and Latin America. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a significant agreement aimed at safeguarding nature signed in 2022, includes a target stipulating that by 2030, at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems will be effectively restored. At the national level, India, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), is dedicated to addressing land degradation and aims to achieve a land degradation-neutral status by 2030. India is at the forefront of global initiatives to prioritize the protection and conservation of land, leading efforts to combat land degradation on an international scale. The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, located in the northernmost part of India, also faces significant threats of land degradation. As per the statistics of Desertification and land degradation Atlas of India compiled by Space Application Center Indian Space Research Organization Government of India revealed that 20.86% (1.12 million ha) of the total geographic area is undergoing Desertification/Land Degradation (DLD) during timeframe of 2018-2019 in UT of J&K. The most significant process of DLD in the region is vegetation degradation followed by water erosion, notable in the years 2003-2005 & 2011-2013. The area undergoing DLD increased by 1.81% (97,942 ha) and 1.19% (64,783 ha) during the time frame of 2003-05, 2011-13 and 2011-13, 2018-19, the report adds. If these processes continue to increase in the coming years, they could have far-reaching implications as mentioned above. Additionally, these changes could negatively impact the water resources of the UT by affecting water quality and availability. Increased runoff and sedimentation would exacerbate water scarcity issues, impacting both consumption and irrigation, ultimately food security. These negative repercussions will further augment the degradation processes.

In order to tackle the issues of DLD, a multifaceted strategy combining several approaches is necessary. Restoring groundwater supplies and lessening the consequences of drought can be achieved by implementing precipitation Harvesting (RWH) techniques, such as catchment systems, which effectively collect and store precipitation. Reforestation and reforestation projects are essential for improving ecosystem resilience and repairing degraded land. Restoring springs and constructing sedimentation pits or tanks aid in controlling water flow, minimizing soil erosion, and enhancing water quality. Adopting sustainable farming methods improves soil health and lessens reliance on chemical inputs. Examples of these methods include crop rotation, crop diversification, and the use of organic fertilizers. Furthermore, implementing agroforestry systems, creating protected areas, and planting native plants all support sustainable land management techniques while restoring soil health and biodiversity. The confluence of DLD's effects jeopardizes not only the region's ecological equilibrium but also Kashmir's social cohesion and economic stability, underscoring the need to address these issues through sustainable land management and restoration techniques. The Government can enhance the work towards the restoration of degraded lands in UT of J&K under the umbrella of various schemes of GoI envisaged under National Forest Policy (NFP) such as National Mission for Green India (GIM), Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) etc.  NFP sets a national goal of achieving a minimum of one-third of the total land area under forest or tree cover and intends to maintain ecological balance, conserve natural heritage, and prevent soil erosion in river, lake, and reservoir catchment areas. GIM under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which aims to increase the forest and tree cover, restore degraded ecosystems and enhance biodiversity.  Under CAMPA, the funds can be utilized to undertake afforestation and reforestation projects. This approach involves using funds collected from the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes to restore forest cover. The other government schemes which can tackle this problem are Soil Health Card Scheme, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) etc. where under the activities can be identified to augment the restoration of degraded lands on priority. Similarly, the "Catch the Rain" initiative under Jal Shakti Abhiyan can play a pivotal role in improving the moisture conditions and capabilities of lands by enhancing water infiltration. This initiative can significantly increase the land's capacity to retain moisture, supporting thriving agriculture and biodiversity.

In this direction, UT Government through Department of Forest has envisioned to increase forest/tree cover on 5mha of forest/non-forest lands and improved quality of another 5 m ha aiming to contain degradation and improve ecosystem system services and carbon sequestration through initiatives like CAMPA and the Green India Mission. However, such initiatives require dedication, timely monitoring, efficient fund allocation and disbursement with concrete monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and adequate institutional mechanisms. The failure to effectively address the loss to our planet even in situations where sufficient funds are accessible and the necessary technology involves established practices and sustainable projects, the problem persists. This can be achieved when science and administration work hand in hand, their collaboration can yield significant benefits by fostering open communication and mutual respect, these two groups can work together to bridge gaps in knowledge and understanding. Scientists can provide specialized scientific insights and research findings, while officials can offer practical on-the-ground experience and insights into local ecosystems. Together, they can develop comprehensive conservation strategies that consider both scientific evidence and practical implementation challenges. By pooling their resources and expertise, scientists and officials can enhance conservation outcomes, ultimately safeguarding the ecological integrity while also addressing the needs of local communities.

Additionally, civil society and individuals must play a significant role by independently contributing to initiatives aimed at saving our planet. We must awaken our inner consciousness and make environmental awareness a daily commitment, rather than confining it to a single day of celebration. The solution lies in implementing changes at the individual level, embracing lifestyle modifications, transitioning towards a green economy, and consistently opting for the most sustainable choices in our daily lives. The concept of lifestyle changes (LiFE) was introduced by Honorable Prime Minister during the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow focused on promoting environmentally conscious lifestyle centered around 'mindful and deliberate utilization' rather than 'mindless and wasteful consumption'. The Mission aims to establish 'Pro-Planet People' (P3), who share a commitment to adopting and advocating for environmentally friendly lifestyles. Through the P3 community, the Mission endeavors to create an ecosystem that fosters and supports sustainable behaviors, ensuring their self-sustainability.

Dr. Fayma Mushtaq, Faculty at ARCEMS, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Saudi Arabia