Context:
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) released Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists.
What are Rangelands?
- They are natural or semi-natural ecosystems grazed by livestock and/or wild animals.
- They often comprise a mosaic of ecosystems such as grasslands, savannahs, shrublands, drylands, deserts, steppes, mountains, open forests, and agroforestry systems.
- Importance –
- Central role in achieving Land Degradation Neutrality
- Support extensive livestock production systems with 16% global food production
- Representing 1/3 of global biodiversity hotspots
- Ecosystem services including nutrient recycling, carbon sequestration, recreation and ecotourism.
Key highlights of report:
- Rangelands cover over 54% of terrestrial surface, with around 78% occurring in drylands.
- Up to 50% rangelands are estimated to be degraded showing signs of diminished soil fertility and nutrients, erosion, salinization, alkalinization, and soil compaction inhibiting plant growth.
- Drivers of degradation include land use changes due to population growth and urban expansion, rapidly rising food, fibre and fuel demands, excessive grazing, abandonment, and policies that incentivise overexploitation.
Status of Rangelands in India:
- Indian rangelands occupy about 121 million hectares.
- Around 100 million hectares is considered underutilized.
- Pastoralists have been widely marginalized in Indian public policies, resulting in insecure tenure rights and access to their pool of common resources.
- In many states, pastoralists have been banned from forests and protected areas.
- Mining and energy projects also prevent their access to critical rangeland resources.
Source: The Print
Previous Year Question
What is/are the importance/importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’?
1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships.
2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
