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The process of fertile land transforming into desert typically as a result of deforestation, drought or improper agriculture is called desertification.
Desertification in India is essentially a result of soil degradation because of various physical, chemical & biological factors.
Hot arid regions of the country which are prone to desertification in India are.:
Major parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Southern Punjab & Haryana.
A small portion of Deccan Peninsula in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
These regions are characterized by erratic rainfall, frequent droughts, high evaporation, intense heat and high winds which are favorable conditions for the desertification. According to a study by United Nations Convention to Control Desertification (UNCCD) about 25% of India’s land area is affected by desertification.
Causes of Desertification in India
Desertification in India is caused by complex interactions among physical, biological, political, social, cultural and economic factors. Both natural and anthropogenic causes are responsible for the desertification in India.
- Natural causes such as climate change, droughts, and soil erosion are enhancing the pace of desertification.
- Anthropogenic causes include flawed and unsustainable practices of agriculture such as shifting cultivation, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, poor irrigation practices, deforestation and expansion of agriculture areas are main causes of desertification.
Industrial waste, which is full of toxic chemicals, is a major cause of land pollution. This ultimately results in desertification.
Climate change could be one of the reasons for Desertification in India. Climate change is affecting the Indian monsoon. In that affect, the rainfall pattern in the country is changing and frequency of droughts is increasing.
Effects of Desertification
These are the consequences of desertification:
Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water.
Replacement of forest or woodland by savanna grassland or scrub.
Reduction in species diversity and plant biomass in ecosystems.
The increase in flow variability of rivers and streams.
Increase in the salt content of previously fresh lakes, wetlands, and rivers.
Desertification affects the health of the ecosystem and makes them vulnerable to natural disasters.
How to control Desertification?
Desertification and the associated loss of agricultural land are not an inevitable and unstoppable process. Good management practices can sustain agriculture even in seemingly arid and hostile environments. The national action plan to control the desertification has suggested the following step to control the desertification in the country.
Afforestation: Planting trees in the desertification affected areas can help to stop it from the spreading into new areas.
Windbreaks and shelters: Planting trees and shrubs on the periphery of the agricultural fields can reduce the wind speed and increasing water infiltration into the soil. This practice improves the moisture and fertility of the soil. The other practice to stop the spread of deserts is to separate them by planting trees in a long narrow belt. This helps in capturing the advancement of sand dunes.
Desertification Control
An increase in the agriculture productivity and dry farming so that need for the farmland can be minimized.
Grazing of the livestock in arid areas should be done in a controlled way so that land can regain the vegetation cover.
Activities to improve the quality of life of the local communities so that their dependency on natural resources can be minimized.
Awareness rising among the masses about the repercussions of the deforestation.
Drought management, preparedness and mitigation as it is the starting point of deforestation.
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