Combating Land Degradation and Desertification Through Forestry Interventions
摘要
Land degradation poses a signification challenge globally. In India, 97.85 million hectares of land is affected by various drivers of degradation. Water erosion (11.0%), vegetation degradation (9.15%), and wind erosion (5.46%) are identified as the primary drivers. Identifying land degradation as a pressing challenge impacting ecosystems, biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security, India has launched multiple initiatives, including afforestation, watershed management, and agroforestry programs, to combat degradation and achieve land degradation neutrality (LDN). This chapter examines the status of land degradation in India, its commitments under international frameworks, and the efforts being made to restore degraded landscapes. A multi-tier landscape-level planning approach is proposed to align regional interventions with national and global targets. Additionally, the convergence of resources and monitoring mechanisms is emphasized to ensure effective implementation and tracking of progress. This study underscores the importance of integrated efforts in addressing land degradation and advancing sustainable development in India.