June 22 – GS3/Environment and Ecology: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q: "India has set ambitious targets for Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in achieving these targets." (250 words)

Introduction

• Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) means keeping the amount and quality of land resources steady or improving them through sustainable practices.
• In India, 29.32% of the land is degraded, so the country is focusing on reversing this through various interventions.
• As a part of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), India has pledged to achieve LDN by 2030.

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Challenges in Achieving LDN Targets

• Expanding Land Degradation: India is experiencing severe desertification and land degradation, particularly in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Approximately 68% of India ’s cropped area is susceptible to drought, which negatively affects soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
• The Thar Desert is expanding due to sand encroachment, impacting croplands and the livelihoods of rural communities.
• Unsustainable Agricultural Practices: The excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation has led to a decline in soil fertility and an increase in salinity.
• In Haryana, the groundwater situation is critical, with 88 out of 143 blocks classified as overexploited, and rising salinity due to over-irrigation.
• Rapid Urbanization and Industrialization: Encroachment for infrastructure development, real estate, and mining has resulted in the loss of fertile lands.
• Urbanization is expected to lead to the loss of 1.6 to 3.3 million hectares of prime agricultural land annually between 2000 and 2030.
• Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, and frequent droughts exacerbate land degradation.
• The Bundelkhand region has faced severe droughts, resulting in soil erosion, desertification, and distress migration.
• Lack of Awareness and Participation: Farmers and rural communities often lack knowledge about sustainable land practices or are apprehensive about immediate economic losses from adopting them.
• The reluctance to transition from traditional cropping methods to agroforestry or organic farming hinders progress.

Opportunities in Achieving LDN Targets

• Large-Scale Afforestation and Reforestation: Initiatives like the Green India Mission and CAMPA Funds promote enhancing forest cover, particularly on degraded lands.
• For instance, the Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to combat desertification through extensive plantation drives.
• Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Programs such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) encourage the reduction of chemical inputs in farming.
• The Zero Budget Natural Farming model in Andhra Pradesh has successfully reduced land degradation and improved soil health, serving as a model for replication.
• Agroforestry: Integrating trees within farmlands helps prevent erosion, boost biodiversity, and restore soil structure.
• For example, Karnataka's Bamboo Mission has effectively incorporated agroforestry practices to restore degraded farmland.
• Integrated Watershed Management: Programs like the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) focus on rainwater harvesting, check dams, and soil rehabilitation.
• Initiatives such as Maharashtra’s Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan have reduced land degradation by enhancing soil moisture retention and water availability.
• Leveraging Technology for Precision Intervention: Advanced technologies can be utilized to identify degraded lands, monitor desertification processes, and assess the impacts of restoration efforts.
• Involving Local Communities: Engaging self-help groups, farmer collectives, and village-level committees through mobile applications can ensure participatory approaches to land restoration.

Conclusion

• Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030 is crucial for India’s ecology and economy.
• By focusing on comprehensive and inclusive strategies, India can ensure a sustainable future that harmonizes environmental restoration with economic development.
• This endeavor not only protects natural resources but also empowers rural communities, boosts agricultural productivity, and positions India as a leader in the global fight against desertification.