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On June 17th every year, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought raises awareness of desertification prevention strategies. It’s also a day to think about how to recover from the drought. Desertification is the conversion of productive land to desert. This is frequently caused by drought, deforestation, or inefficient agriculture.
Desertification decreases biological productivity. This is especially harmful in places already plagued by poverty and hunger. The day provides an opportunity to recognise that land degradation neutrality is attainable via problem-solving, strong community involvement, and collaboration at all levels. Read this blog to know more about World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
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Table of Contents
History of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Desertification was acknowledged as one of the most significant threats to sustainable development at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994. This international legally binding accord linked the environment and development to sustainable land management. In addition to the UNCCD, the United Nations declared June 17th as World Day Against Desertification and Drought.
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Goals of Desertification and Sustainable Development
According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, “we are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, managing its natural resources sustainably, and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of present and future generations.”, says one of the UN representative. Goal 15 expresses our determination to halt and reverse the land deterioration.
So, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is an event that educates the public about the issues of combatting desertification and drought. This day also discusses the effects of drought and desertification.
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World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Theme 2023
The global focus for Desertification and Drought Day in 2023 will be on women’s land rights, which are critical for attaining the interconnected global goals of gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030, as well as contributing to the progress of several other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hence, the theme for 2023 is ‘Her Land. Her Rights’.
The themes in the last years have been the following:
2020: Food. Feed. Fibre. – The Links Between Consumption and Land.
2019: Let’s Grow the Future Together
2018: Land Has True Value. Invest In It.
2017: Link Between Land Degradation and Migration.
2016: Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People.
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Ways to Prevent Desertification
More than two billion hectares of productive land have been degraded in recent years. The good news is that there are some proven methods for preventing desertification. Among these methods are:
- Protect the soil from degradation by managing land and water.
- Maintain vegetative cover.
- Integrate land use for grazing and cultivation to enable more efficient nutrient cycling.
- Use traditional agricultural practices in conjunction with land-use technologies.
- Provide local communities with the resources they need to manage dryland.
- Create economic prospects in urban drylands.
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How to Observe the Day?
Environmentalists and conservationists deliver presentations to the public on solutions to prevent desertification and drought on this day. To take part:
- Learn how to protect the soil on your property.
- At least one tree should be planted on your land.
- Learn about the advantages of seed banks.
- View movies and read articles on desertification and its effects on the environment.
- Use the hashtag #WorldDayToCombatDesertificationAndDrought to raise awareness for this day on social media.
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FAQs
World Day to Combat Drought and Desertification is observed every year on June 17 to raise public awareness of international efforts to battle desertification.
Under the subject “Her Land. Her Rights,” this year’s Desertification and Drought Day, observed globally on June 17, focuses on women’s land rights as a critical component of achieving the linked global goals of gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030.
Every year, Desertification and Drought Awareness Day is commemorated to raise public awareness. The day is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality (LDN) is attainable. The Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is in charge of commemorating the day.
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