Elucidation of the fifth National report

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is one of the Rio Conventions that focuses on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD). During the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development. UNCCD defines desertification. as land degradation in the drylands (arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions) resulting from various factors. UNCCD, with 195 Parties, is a unique instrument that recognizes land degradation as an important factor affecting some of the most vulnerable people and ecosystems in the world.

India became a signatory to the UNCCD on 14 October 1994 and ratified it on 17 December 1996. The area under dry lands in India is about 228.3 Mha, which is 69.6 per cent of the total geographical area, and comprises of arid lands (50.8 Mha), semi-arid lands (123.4 Mha) and dry sub-humid areas (54.1 Mha). About 32 per cent of the land is undergoing various forms of degradation and 25 per cent of the geographical area is affected by desertification. Degradation of these lands has severe implications for the livelihood and food security of millions. India has got high stakes on this front and stands strongly committed to implementing the goals of UNCCD. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) is the nodal Ministry to co-ordinate all issues pertaining to the Convention. India actively participated in the Convention on desertification and is currently the Chair of the Regional Implementation Annexe for the Asia-Pacific region. MOEF, Gol has designated Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun as the facilitating organisation for preparation of the Fifth National Report to the UNCCD Secretariat.