June 17: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

Every year, the United Nations observes World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17. This year, the day is observed under the theme

Theme: Food, Feed Fibre-The links between consumption and land

Highlights

• The World Day to combat Desertification and Drought is observed focusing on changing public attitudes towards land degradation and desertification.

Significance

• As the global population is growing and the world becoming wealthier, there is more need for land for food, clothing and animal feed. 
• According to the United Nations, the world population is to reach 10 billion by 2050. 
• In order to fulfil the needs of such huge population an additional 593 million hectares of agricultural land is needed by 2050 as compared to 2010 levels. 
• This is twice the area of India.
• On the other hand, the heath and productivity of the land is declining due to climate change. 
• Thus, the World Day o Combat Desertification and Drought is to focus on educate the individuals about reducing the impacts that lead to land degradation.

Background

• The day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1995 after the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was drafted.

Sustainable Development Goals

• The 2030 Agenda for SDG includes to protect the Earth from degradation. 
• The SDG 15 aims to halt and reverse land degradation.