Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) act as one of the drivers of migration, India said on Saturday at the 15th international conference of the UNCCD which is underway at Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa.

Making a statement on behalf of India, Joint Secretary, Environment, Jigmet Takpa asserted that the youth are most likely to face migration and engaging them is vital to restoration efforts for resilient and sustainable food systems.

India, which has handed over the presidency of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 15 to Cote d’Ivoire after presiding over it for two years, called for prioritising integrated land-use planning together with enhancing green and blue infrastructure for sustainable development.

Apart from desertification, land degradation and drought, other factors that could cause migration include climate and environmental changes.&nbsp;

In rural areas affected by DLDD, livelihood opportunities through land restoration activities should be ensured, he said.&nbsp;

The Indian official said that a stronger symbiotic urban-rural linkage targeting vulnerable groups that include women, rural youth, refugees, and internally displaced person must be provided with on-farm and off-farm employment.&nbsp;

“Youth are most likely to face migration and engaging youth is vital to restoration efforts for resilient and sustainable food systems,” he said.&nbsp;

The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under Ministry of Home Affairs is the designated authority in India that compiles information on migration based on the data compiled during national census which usually takes place at a gap of ten years’ time interval.

Reducing the extent of human migration is one of the pronounced achievements of watershed development programmes being implemented by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, the official said.&nbsp;

Watershed is an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.

“About 60 percent of the amount spent in each watershed goes for labour component which generates substantial employment for the local landless, small and marginal farming community people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/g7-condemns-indias-decision-to-ban-wheat-exports-478936" hreflang="en">'Worsen the crisis': G7 condemns India's decision to ban wheat export</a>

“Use of machinery in watershed activities is kept to the minimum so that employment opportunities are kept intact which minimize human migration from the watershed project areas,” Takpa said.&nbsp;

Indian environment minister Bhupender Yadav spoke at the BRICS high-level meeting on Climate Change on Friday where he highlighted the relevance of the forum to jointly address climate change, to explore approaches to accelerate low-carbon and resilient transition, and to achieve sustainable recovery and development.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-on-climate-what-is-lifestyle-for-environment-445613">PM Modi on climate: what is 'Lifestyle for Environment'?</a>

The COP15 is being held with an aim to restore 1 billion hectares of degraded land between now and 2030 besides also focusing on how to handle droughts, sand and dust storms, wildfires and other disaster risks.

Over 2,000 delegates from 196 countries are attending UNCCD COP 15, which commenced on May 9 and is likely to conclude on May 20.&nbsp;

Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) act as one of the drivers of migration, India said on Saturday at the 15th international conference of the UNCCD which is underway at Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa.

Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) act as one of the drivers of migration, India said on Saturday at the 15th international conference of the UNCCD which is underway at Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. Making a statement on behalf of India, Joint Secretary, Environment, Jigmet Takpa asserted that the youth are most likely to face migration and engaging them is vital to restoration efforts for resilient and sustainable food systems. India, which has handed over the presidency of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP 15 to Cote d’Ivoire after presiding over it for two years, called for prioritising integrated land-use planning together with enhancing green and blue infrastructure for sustainable development. Apart from desertification, land degradation and drought, other factors that could cause migration include climate and environmental changes. In rural areas affected by DLDD, livelihood opportunities through land restoration activities should be ensured, he said. The Indian official said that a stronger symbiotic urban-rural linkage targeting vulnerable groups that include women, rural youth, refugees, and internally displaced person must be provided with on-farm and off-farm employment. “Youth are most likely to face migration and engaging youth is vital to restoration efforts for resilient and sustainable food systems,” he said. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under Ministry of Home Affairs is the designated authority in India that compiles information on migration based on the data compiled during national census which usually takes place at a gap of ten years’ time interval. Reducing the extent of human migration is one of the pronounced achievements of watershed development programmes being implemented by Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, the official said. Watershed is an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas. “About 60 percent of the amount spent in each watershed goes for labour component which generates substantial employment for the local landless, small and marginal farming community people. Also read | 'Worsen the crisis': G7 condemns India's decision to ban wheat export “Use of machinery in watershed activities is kept to the minimum so that employment opportunities are kept intact which minimize human migration from the watershed project areas,” Takpa said. Indian environment minister Bhupender Yadav spoke at the BRICS high-level meeting on Climate Change on Friday where he highlighted the relevance of the forum to jointly address climate change, to explore approaches to accelerate low-carbon and resilient transition, and to achieve sustainable recovery and development. Also read | PM Modi on climate: what is 'Lifestyle for Environment'? The COP15 is being held with an aim to restore 1 billion hectares of degraded land between now and 2030 besides also focusing on how to handle droughts, sand and dust storms, wildfires and other disaster risks. Over 2,000 delegates from 196 countries are attending UNCCD COP 15, which commenced on May 9 and is likely to conclude on May 20.

Desertification, land degradation and drought key drivers of migration: India at UNCCD conference

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted India's commitment to restore degraded land while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He was speaking in his capacity as the President of the 14th Session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Joining the "UN High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought” virtually, he said, "We are on track to achieve our national commitment of land degradation neutrality. We are also working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030." Adding, "This would contribute to India’s commitment to achieve an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide equivalent."

Desertification and&nbsp;land degradation are key global issues of concern as part of the climate change crisis. India is establishing a Centre of Excellence to promote a scientific approach towards land degradation issues.

The PM pointed out, "In India, over the last 10 years, around three million hectares of forest cover had been added. This has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one-fourth of the country’s total area."

New Delhi is also assisting fellow developing countries to develop land restoration strategies as part of South-South Cooperation. Land degradation affects over two-thirds of the world today.

During the address, PM pointed out how in the Banni region of the Rann of Kutch in state of Gujarat, land restoration is done by developing grasslands. This has not only helped in "achieving land degradation neutrality" but also supports pastoral activities and livelihood by promoting animal husbandry.

"It is mankind’s collective responsibility to reverse the damage to land caused by human activity", PM said while terming leaving a "health planet for our future generations" a "sacred duty".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted India's commitment to restore degraded land while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He was speaking in his capacity as the President of the 14th Session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted India's commitment to restore degraded land while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He was speaking in his capacity as the President of the 14th Session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Joining the "UN High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought” virtually, he said, "We are on track to achieve our national commitment of land degradation neutrality. We are also working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030." Adding, "This would contribute to India’s commitment to achieve an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide equivalent." Desertification and land degradation are key global issues of concern as part of the climate change crisis. India is establishing a Centre of Excellence to promote a scientific approach towards land degradation issues. The PM pointed out, "In India, over the last 10 years, around three million hectares of forest cover had been added. This has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one-fourth of the country’s total area." New Delhi is also assisting fellow developing countries to develop land restoration strategies as part of South-South Cooperation. Land degradation affects over two-thirds of the world today. During the address, PM pointed out how in the Banni region of the Rann of Kutch in state of Gujarat, land restoration is done by developing grasslands. This has not only helped in "achieving land degradation neutrality" but also supports pastoral activities and livelihood by promoting animal husbandry. "It is mankind’s collective responsibility to reverse the damage to land caused by human activity", PM said while terming leaving a "health planet for our future generations" a "sacred duty".

At UNGA, PM Modi highlights India's commitments to restore degraded land

India will host the 14th session of the Conference of Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) this year to address the issue of land degradation and desertification.

A source close to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said Friday the conference of the UNCCD, which has participation from over 100 countries, is likely to be held in October.

The UNCCD, established in 1994, has 197 parties working towards maintaining and restoring land and soil productivity and mitigating the effects of drought.

Gaurav Khare, the ministry spokesperson, said hosting this conference will be a "prestigious moment for the country".

"Hosting UNCCD COP-14 will be a prestigious moment for the country. India's commitment to SDG 15 (life on land) is incoherence to the prime minister's vision for doubling the income of farmers by 2022.

"SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 15 addressing land issues is concomitant to climate change, poverty, food security, clean water and sanitation and gender equality, livelihood," Khare said.

Khare said the government is committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030 and by hosting the COP-14 it aims to showcase its role as a leader in addressing the land agenda.

The government is also in the process of launching transformative projects, policy formulation, research and development in the area of sustainable land management to address the issues of land degradation, desertification, drought and dust storms, the source said.&nbsp;

India will host the 14th session of the Conference of Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) this year to address the issue of land degradation and desertification.

India will host the 14th session of the Conference of Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) this year to address the issue of land degradation and desertification. A source close to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said Friday the conference of the UNCCD, which has participation from over 100 countries, is likely to be held in October. The UNCCD, established in 1994, has 197 parties working towards maintaining and restoring land and soil productivity and mitigating the effects of drought. Gaurav Khare, the ministry spokesperson, said hosting this conference will be a "prestigious moment for the country". "Hosting UNCCD COP-14 will be a prestigious moment for the country. India's commitment to SDG 15 (life on land) is incoherence to the prime minister's vision for doubling the income of farmers by 2022. "SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 15 addressing land issues is concomitant to climate change, poverty, food security, clean water and sanitation and gender equality, livelihood," Khare said. Khare said the government is committed to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030 and by hosting the COP-14 it aims to showcase its role as a leader in addressing the land agenda. The government is also in the process of launching transformative projects, policy formulation, research and development in the area of sustainable land management to address the issues of land degradation, desertification, drought and dust storms, the source said.

India to host UN conference on land degradation, desertification this year

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