Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands

Drylands, characterized by arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions, cover approximately 41% of the Earth’s land surface and are home to over 2 billion people. Despite their harsh environment, drylands support biodiversity, provide livelihoods, and play a crucial role in global ecosystems. However, they are highly vulnerable to climate change, desertification, and unsustainable land use.

This eBook explores the Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands, focusing on the challenges, strategies, and policies to sustainably manage these regions. The topic is relevant for Geography, Environment, and Agriculture sections of the UPSC syllabus, as well as for Climate Change and Disaster Management discussions.

Understanding Drylands

Drylands are regions where the ratio of annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration (aridity index) is less than 0.65. They are classified into four types:

Hyper-Arid: Deserts like the Sahara, with minimal vegetation.
Arid: Regions with sparse vegetation, such as the Thar Desert.
Semi-Arid: Areas with more vegetation, such as parts of the Sahel.
Dry Sub-Humid: Transitional zones with grasslands or savannas.

Importance of Drylands

Biodiversity Hotspots: Drylands host unique flora and fauna adapted to arid conditions.
Livelihoods: Support agriculture, livestock, and nomadic lifestyles.
Climate Regulation: Carbon sequestration through vegetation and soils.
Cultural Heritage: Many ancient civilizations thrived in drylands, leaving behind rich cultural legacies.

Challenges Facing Drylands

Drylands face numerous ecological, socio-economic, and political challenges:

1. Desertification

Over 25% of drylands are degraded due to human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable farming practices.
Impacts: Loss of arable land, reduced biodiversity, and lower agricultural productivity.

2. Climate Change

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall exacerbate droughts and water scarcity.
Increased frequency of extreme weather events affects ecosystems and livelihoods.

3. Water Scarcity

Many drylands have limited or overexploited water resources. Aquifers are often non-replenishable, and rivers are seasonal.

4. Population Pressure

Growing populations increase the demand for land, water, and food, leading to unsustainable resource use.

5. Conflict and Migration

Resource scarcity often triggers conflicts over water, grazing land, and arable land, contributing to forced migration.

Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands

A global strategy for resilient drylands involves a comprehensive approach to sustainable management, climate adaptation, and socio-economic development. It emphasizes collaboration among nations, organizations, and local communities.

Key Components of the Strategy

Land Restoration
- Promote reforestation and afforestation using native species.
- Implement soil conservation techniques like terracing and contour plowing.
- Encourage sustainable grazing and rotational farming practices.
Water Management
- Invest in water-efficient irrigation systems, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.
- Promote rainwater harvesting and the construction of check dams.
- Restore wetlands and aquifers to enhance natural water storage.
Sustainable Agriculture
- Develop drought-resistant crop varieties.
- Promote agroforestry and mixed farming systems to enhance soil fertility.
- Reduce dependency on chemical inputs and promote organic farming.
Climate Adaptation
- Build local resilience through early warning systems for droughts and extreme weather events.
- Encourage the adoption of climate-smart technologies.
- Enhance disaster risk management and recovery mechanisms.
Biodiversity Conservation
- Protect and restore critical habitats such as grasslands and savannas.
- Combat invasive species that threaten native flora and fauna.
- Establish wildlife corridors to support species migration.
Empowering Local Communities
- Strengthen the role of women and indigenous communities in decision-making.
- Provide training in sustainable practices and alternative livelihoods.
- Support community-based natural resource management.
Policy and Governance
- Integrate dryland management into national and international policies.
- Strengthen legal frameworks to protect drylands from overexploitation.
- Promote cross-border cooperation in transboundary dryland ecosystems.
Research and Innovation
- Invest in research on dryland ecosystems, water resources, and climate adaptation.
- Develop technologies for efficient water use and soil restoration.
- Establish global data-sharing platforms to monitor dryland health.

Global and Regional Initiatives

Several international organizations and frameworks are working towards building resilient drylands:

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):
- Focuses on preventing land degradation and restoring degraded lands.
- Implements the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Great Green Wall Initiative:
- Aimed at restoring degraded land across Africa’s Sahel region by planting trees and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Bonn Challenge:
- Global effort to restore 150 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):
- Supports biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management in drylands.
South Asia Regional Efforts:
- Programs like India’s National Afforestation Programme and Desert Development Programme aim to combat desertification in arid regions like Rajasthan.

Case Studies

1. Sahel Region (Africa)

The Great Green Wall has restored millions of hectares of degraded land, improved food security, and created jobs. However, challenges like political instability and insufficient funding persist.

2. Thar Desert (India)

India’s Desert Development Programme focuses on sand dune stabilization, water conservation, and afforestation. Successful interventions include the use of Prosopis juliflora (a drought-resistant tree) to stabilize dunes.

3. Central Asia

Efforts to combat the Aral Sea disaster include water conservation projects and afforestation to restore the region’s ecosystem.

Challenges in Implementation

Funding Constraints:
- Many dryland regions are in developing countries with limited resources for large-scale interventions.
Policy Gaps:
- Lack of cohesive policies at the national and international levels.
Technological Barriers:
- Limited access to modern irrigation techniques and drought-resistant crop varieties.
Community Engagement:
- Resistance to change and lack of awareness among local populations.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Absence of robust systems to track progress and measure outcomes.

Relevance for UPSC Aspirants

The topic of resilient drylands aligns with multiple sections of the UPSC syllabus:

Geography (GS Paper I):
- Physical and human geography, including landforms, ecosystems, and climate change.
Environment (GS Paper III):
- Biodiversity, land degradation, and climate change adaptation.
Agriculture and Economics (GS Paper III):
- Sustainable farming practices and livelihood generation.
International Relations (GS Paper II):
- Global cooperation and frameworks for combating desertification.

Conclusion

Building resilient drylands is essential for global food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation. The Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands emphasizes the need for sustainable management, policy integration, and community participation. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the strategies and initiatives for dryland resilience is crucial, as it connects the dots between geography, environment, and sustainable development.

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Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands