Changing lifestyles to combat desertification

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote public awareness of global efforts to combat desertification.

 The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation is been done and can be reversed through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels.

This is even more important during these times considering the COVID-19 situation. According to the United Nations, a clear understanding of rights, rewards and responsibilities of land management can help address the COVID-19 fallout by tackling one of the primary environmental drivers of emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

At the same time, strengthening the resilience of food and water systems can help reduce the effects of the pandemic on global poverty and food insecurity. The motto “healthy land = healthy people” promoted by the Convention to Combat Desertification is more true than ever.

Why is this day observed?

This year’s observance is focused on changing public attitudes to the leading driver of desertification and land degradation – humanity’s relentless production and consumption.

As populations become larger, wealthier and more urban, there is far greater demand for land to provide food, animal feed and fibre for clothing.

Meanwhile, the health and productivity of existing arable land is declining, worsened by climate change. Lifestyles need to change to have enough productive land to meet demands

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought seeks to educate individuals on how to reduce their personal impact.  The event this year is being held under the slogan “Food. Feed. Fibre.”

What is Desertification?

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It is caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations.

Desertification does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts. It occurs because dryland ecosystems – covering over one third of the world’s land area – are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate land use. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation practices undermine the productivity of the land.

Food, feed and fibre compete with expanding cities and the fuel industry. The end result is that land is being converted and degraded at unsustainable rates, damaging production, ecosystems and biodiversity.

Food, feed, and fibre also contribute to climate change, with around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions coming from agriculture, forestry and other land use.

Lifestyle changes and threats

Clothing and footwear production causes eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The figure is predicted to rise almost fifty percent by 2030.

With changes in consumer and corporate behaviour, and the adoption of more efficient planning and sustainable practices, there could be enough land to meet the demand.

By 2030, the fashion industry is predicted to use 35 percent more land – over 115 million hectares. Food production will require an additional 300 million hectares of land.

If every consumer were to buy products that do not degrade the land, suppliers would cut back the flow of these products and send a powerful signal to producers and policymakers.

Desertification in Pakistan

Pakistan is mainly a dryland country with around 80 percent of the land being arid or semi-arid supporting around two-thirds of the country’s population.  

We are losing this vital non-renewable resource due to rapid land degradation and desertification largely arising from human activities. There are periodic and prolonged droughts in drylands that have accentuated the problem of desertification.

The indiscriminate cutting of forests, timber mafia and property builders has aggravated the problem of desertification.  We need to raise the forest cover to around 20-25 percent.

Pakistan is primarily an agricultural country and around 60-70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly linked to agricultural farming.

The mismanagement of irrigation system and agricultural practices has contributed significantly to the problem of land degradation and desertification.

What can be done?

We need to raise awareness regarding the implications of desertification on economy, food and society. The approach to managing the issue needs extensive coverage.

Promotional activities should involve education through electronic and print media, distribution of materials in educational institutes, and awareness workshops. It is important to share information because a well-oriented population can respond positively to mitigation efforts.

Sustainable and integrated land use management is critical to combat desertification. There is a need for the establishment of a monitoring and tracking system to devise appropriate strategies.  Lessons can be learned from strategies adopted in other countries with similar challenges.

Land degradation is not necessarily permanent and has the potential to be reversed. There must be efforts for the restoration and reclamation of affected areas such as Balochistan rangelands.

We cannot neglect this serious issue as it affects our survival, and therefore we need to protect and conserve our soil. The makers need to realise this and formulate and comprehensive strategy.