National Workshop Marks World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025
Jodhpur : To mark the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organized a one-day national workshop at the Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Themed “Strategies for Combating Desertification and Drought,” the event emphasized sustainable land management in India’s arid and semi-arid zones, especially highlighting the ecological significance of the Aravalli Mountain range.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, chief guest at the event, emphasized India’s proactive efforts to tackle land degradation. He pointed to the harmful impact of unsustainable farming practices, excessive fertilizer use, and rampant pesticide application, which threaten food security, biodiversity, and soil health.
“Healthy land is essential for regional stability and economic prosperity,” said Yadav, advocating for international collaboration to halt land degradation.
He highlighted key national initiatives such as:
Amrit Sarovar Mission for water body revival and biodiversity protection
Matri Van Campaign promoting tree planting in the Aravallis in memory of mothers
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Movement initiated by PM Narendra Modi to plant trees as a tribute to ‘Mother Earth’.
Yadav underlined the Aravalli range’s role as a 700-km natural barrier across 29 districts that protects against the encroaching Thar Desert and safeguards India’s cultural and ecological fabric. He called for community-led restoration efforts, expressing confidence in achieving a green economy by 2047, harmonizing sustainability with economic development.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, also addressed the gathering, lauding India’s increasing forest cover. He stressed the Aravallis’ vital role in groundwater recharge, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation, protecting Eastern Rajasthan, Haryana, and the NCR from desertification. Applauding grassroots conservation efforts, he urged collective responsibility to protect natural heritage for future generations.
During the workshop, several important documents were released, including:
An information booklet on Aravalli districts
The revised Green India Mission document
A book on Sustainable Land Management (SLM)
Updates to the National Afforestation Monitoring System (NAMS)
Minister Yadav also distributed AFRI-developed Shesham clones to ten farmers, promoting climate-resilient forestry practices.
Technical sessions featured global and national case studies presented by UNDP, ADB, and the World Bank, and discussions on the Aravalli Green Wall Project, which promotes inter-state cooperation for ecological restoration. The focus on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) highlighted coordinated efforts involving state governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions like SAC and CAZRI.
The workshop concluded with a call for integrated and inclusive strategies to combat desertification, protect biodiversity, and ensure land sustainability in India.
