Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], June 17 (ANI): On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, organized a one-day national workshop at the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education - Arid Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-AFRI), Jodhpur.

The theme of the event was 'Strategies for Combating Desertification and Drought', focusing on sustainable land management in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, according to a release by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The event was graced by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, as Chief Guest in august presence of Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Rajendra Gehlot.

Speaking on the inaugural session, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, highlighted India's proactive measures to combat desertification and promote ecological restoration. He emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, community-driven initiatives, and the preservation of natural ecosystems, according to the release.

Union Minister Yadav pointed out that significant portion of India's land is facing challenges due to desertification, primarily caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive use of fertilizers like urea, and indiscriminate pesticide application. He stressed that such practices not only degrade the land but also pose a threat to food security and biodiversity, the release added.

In line with India's commitment to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the government has adopted a comprehensive approach focusing on ecosystem restoration, drought resilience, and biodiversity enhancement. Yadav emphasized that healthy land is crucial for regional stability and economic prosperity, urging nations to join efforts in combating land degradation.

According to address these challenges, following steps could help in restoring the ecological balance:

Amrit Sarovars: Aiming to rejuvenate water bodies to combat desertification and support biodiversity.Matri Van: Encouraging communities, especially in the Aravalli region, to plant trees in the name of their mothers, fostering a deep connection with nature.

Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: A nationwide movement initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where citizens plant trees in honor of their mothers, symbolizing respect for 'Mother Earth', the release stated.

Yadav highlighted that these initiatives are not just about planting trees but about restoring ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. He further said that the Aravalli Mountain range, spanning 700 kilometers across 29 districts, holds significant ecological and cultural importance. Shri Yadav emphasized that the Aravallis are not only a natural barrier against desertification but also a cradle of India's civilization and heritage. He urged local communities to actively participate in conservation efforts and restore degraded areas through collaborative actions.

Looking ahead to 2047, Yadav expressed confidence that India will achieve its green economy goals by integrating ecological sustainability with economic development. He reiterated that the nation's development trajectory will be aligned with ecological preservation, ensuring a harmonious balance between growth and environmental stewardship.

Addressing on the occasion, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, emphasized the vital role of the Aravalli Mountain range in combating desertification and preserving ecological balance.

Union Minister Shekhawat highlighted that while global forest cover has been declining, India has made significant strides in increasing its forest cover. He noted, 'The Aravalli Mountain range has been instrumental in water conservation, groundwater recharge, and maintaining biodiversity. It serves as a natural barrier against the advancing Thar Desert, protecting regions like Eastern Rajasthan, Haryana, and the National Capital Region.

The Minister further stated, 'Our responsibility is immense. The Aravallis have sustained our civilization for thousands of years, and it is our duty to preserve this heritage for future generations,' Shekhawat also acknowledged the contributions of local communities in safeguarding the environment. He remarked, 'Many individuals have dedicated their lives to environmental conservation, embodying the spirit of vigilant environmental stewardship.'

The workshop featured a series of technical sessions covering key themes in land restoration and desertification control. Discussions on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) highlighted MoEFCC and ICFRE institutes integrated, community-led restoration efforts. This was followed by presentations on Global and National case studies by development partners like UNDP, ADB, GIZ, KfW, AFD and World Bank. A dedicated session on the Aravalli Green Wall Project focused on inter-state collaboration to restore ecological balance in the Aravalli region. The final session addressed Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) through multi-stakeholder actions involving state governments, SAC, CAZRI, NGOs, and others. The event concluded with a wrap-up session affirming India's commitment to science-based, participatory, and policy-driven desertification mitigation, according to the release.

This event reaffirmed India's leadership role under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and demonstrated its progress toward achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030, with a strong focus on knowledge exchange, collaboration, and field-level impact. This workshop is also part of India's broader efforts to address the environmental challenges of desertification, especially in vulnerable regions such as the Aravallis and the Thar Desert, the release added.

The event was attended by DG, Forest Sushil Kumar Awasthi, ADG (Forest) A.K.Mohanty, Kanchan Devi, DG, ICFRE and Tarun Kant, Director, AFRI and other dignitaries and officials of central and state governments. (ANI)