Land degradation and desertification present some of the most pressing environmental challenges in current times owing to the tectonic shift in temperatures, rising deforestation and rapid utilisation of natural resources. According to the FICCI and McKinsey Dec 2022 report (India’s Century Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Growth), India has ranked seventh in the world among countries most affected by climate change and is increasingly likely to suffer heatwaves and falling crop yields.
India Inc., has witnessed growth in urbanisation and population alongside dynamic infrastructural development which in turn has increased the consumption of natural resources, especially land. To ensure basic needs for all and a continuous supply of daily necessities, we have oversighted best practices in agriculture that has contributed significantly to the degradation of our land. A study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) revealed that less than 4 per cent of Indian farmers have adopted sustainable agricultural practices and systems, which has consequently impacted biodiversity. The impact of land degradation is far reaching as it affects the following:
The degradation of these resources impact everyone, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to tackle the issue. In a span of 4 years, India lost over 30 million hectares of healthy land to degradation according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) data. It also reflected that 251.71 million Indians constituting 18.39 percent of the country’s population were exposed to land degradation during the same period which is reflective of collective loss of health, safety and livelihoods reckoning a response that also lies in collective action.
Effective solutions to land degradation must go beyond isolated efforts by individuals. Instead, it must encompass collective action by governments, companies, non-governmental organisations, local communities, and international bodies working in unison to implement diverse yet complementary strategies. This collective approach is fundamental to achieving sustainable outcomes and addressing shared challenge of mitigating land degradation.
Understanding the collective action approach is imperative to champion environmental protection and a detailed framework can help set things in motion.
Recommended Approach
The private sector has a pivotal role in driving collective action. In the face of peaking economic growth and rising climatic challenges companies with agricultural value chains must commit to sustainable practices and invest in innovations that promote land restoration and resilience. Collective action will be the fastest and the most effective way to respond to most of the environmental challenges and preservation of the soil quality can be a defining factor of our overall ecosystem in years to come.
—The author, Navdeep Singh Mehram, is Head – CSR & Sustainability, at Diageo India. The views expressed are personal.
India Inc., has witnessed growth in urbanisation and population alongside dynamic infrastructural development which in turn has increased the consumption of natural resources, especially land. To ensure basic needs for all and a continuous supply of daily necessities, we have oversighted best practices in agriculture that has contributed significantly to the degradation of our land. A study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) revealed that less than 4 per cent of Indian farmers have adopted sustainable agricultural practices and systems, which has consequently impacted biodiversity. The impact of land degradation is far reaching as it affects the following:
- Productive capacity and soil fertility in the long run
- Subsurface microbial life
- Biodiversity and the ecosystem at large
- The water quality resulting due to increased water pollution
The degradation of these resources impact everyone, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to tackle the issue. In a span of 4 years, India lost over 30 million hectares of healthy land to degradation according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) data. It also reflected that 251.71 million Indians constituting 18.39 percent of the country’s population were exposed to land degradation during the same period which is reflective of collective loss of health, safety and livelihoods reckoning a response that also lies in collective action.
Effective solutions to land degradation must go beyond isolated efforts by individuals. Instead, it must encompass collective action by governments, companies, non-governmental organisations, local communities, and international bodies working in unison to implement diverse yet complementary strategies. This collective approach is fundamental to achieving sustainable outcomes and addressing shared challenge of mitigating land degradation.
Understanding the collective action approach is imperative to champion environmental protection and a detailed framework can help set things in motion.
Recommended Approach
- Detailed baseline analysis: The first step is to comprehensively understand the causes of land degradation. This involves collecting and analysing data to identify the factors contributing to the problem. These could be ranging from deforestation, poor land management, lack of water resources or unsustainable farming practices leading to soil fertility decline. Once the baseline data is gathered, it is important to understand the intensity of the potential damage through scientific methods & tools. A thorough analysis will lay the foundation of a plan that help mitigate land degradation. Proven measures that facilitate implementation of practices that avoid, reduce, or reverse land degradation will form the basis of the plan.
- Planning and Implementation Phase: A detailed plan to be developed to address all material aspects that can help mitigate land degradation. This plan should detail out what actions should be undertaken on improving forest cover to prevent soil erosion, better agricultural management, better water resource management etc. Once the plan is ready, it is essential to have robust implementation of the collective action on land conservation.
- This involves:
- Identifying appropriate measures to be implemented
- Reviewing performance against set objectives and timelines
- Mapping out roles and responsibilities to ensure there is seamless collaboration amongst participating stakeholders
- Learning from both successes and shortcomings, and refining strategies for frequent improvement through timely assessment
- Education and Execution; Collective action to support land restoration efforts: While there are multiple ways to drive collective action to support land restoration, let’s look at the following two key initiatives that are the most effective ways of restoring soil health:
- Regenerative Agriculture works in harmony with the natural environment by using a rehabilitative approach to food and farming systems. A well charted initiative will help improve soil health and its carbon sequestration potential, enhance biodiversity and water quality, reduce the use of synthetic fertiliser, support small-holder farmers including women and improve their livelihoods. By promoting practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and agroforestry, regenerative agriculture helps restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and increase water retention. According to the Regenerative Agriculture Study by the World Economic Forum, intensive farming churns up carbon di oxide naturally present in soil and releases it into the atmosphere. This contributes to the global warming that is driving climate change and regenerative agriculture can gradually overturn the soil and crop quality reversing the damage done by intensive farming.
- Afforestation Replenishment of trees, reforestation or silviculture involves planting trees in areas that have experienced a loss of tree cover owing to natural calamities or industrial use. The main goals of afforestation are to serve as a method to reduce carbon dioxide, to increase soil quality, and to either avoid or reverse desertification. The trees will attract a healthy rainfall and their strong roots absorb and hold water in it’s roots. These trees will help prevent soil erosion and play a very important role in maintaining water table.
- Communicate and Disclose: Better transparency and accountability are vital for maintaining momentum and support for the collective action. Communicating the progress, challenges, and outcomes of land stewardship efforts builds trust and encourages broader participation. Disclosing relevant information allows stakeholders to make informed decisions and reinforces collective responsibility.
The private sector has a pivotal role in driving collective action. In the face of peaking economic growth and rising climatic challenges companies with agricultural value chains must commit to sustainable practices and invest in innovations that promote land restoration and resilience. Collective action will be the fastest and the most effective way to respond to most of the environmental challenges and preservation of the soil quality can be a defining factor of our overall ecosystem in years to come.
—The author, Navdeep Singh Mehram, is Head – CSR & Sustainability, at Diageo India. The views expressed are personal.
First Published: Jun 5, 2024 7:04 PM IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
