Desertification and Land Degradation: India's Vulnerability
July 19, 2026
Introduction
Desertification — land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas — is one of India's most pressing environmental challenges. According to the ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC) report on Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (2021), nearly 97.85 million hectares (29.7%) of India's total geographical area is undergoing land degradation. India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Extent and Status in India
Degradation Types
Water erosion: 68.4% of degraded land — sheet, rill, and gully erosion
Wind erosion: 13.3% of degraded land — mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat
Salinity/Alkalinity: 5.8% — irrigation-induced in canal command areas
Vegetation degradation: 8.9% — loss of forest cover and grassland quality
Waterlogging: Drainage congestion in deltaic and irrigated areas
Rock outcrops and mining: 2.2% — permanent degradation
Competition between livestock and wildlife for grazing lands
Forest-related:
Deforestation for agriculture, infrastructure, and mining
Forest fires (natural and anthropogenic)
Industrial and Urban:
Mining and quarrying (especially open-cast)
Rapid urbanisation (conversion of agricultural land to built-up area)
Brick kilns and construction activity degrading topsoil
Impacts of Land Degradation
Agricultural Productivity
Loss of soil fertility: 5–10% decline in productivity across degraded lands
Reduced water-holding capacity of soils
Economic loss: Estimated Rs 3,500–4,500 crore annually in lost agricultural output
Food and Livelihood Security
40% of India's population depends on agriculture for livelihoods
Small and marginal farmers (80% of all farmers) are most vulnerable
Poverty-degradation nexus: Poor farmers overexploit land, leading to further degradation
Migration from degraded rural areas to cities (distress migration)
Ecosystem Services
Loss of biodiversity (flora and fauna dependent on healthy soils)
Reduced carbon sequestration capacity (soils store 2–3x more carbon than the atmosphere)
Disruption of hydrological cycles (reduced groundwater recharge)
Increased vulnerability to climate change impacts
Social and Economic
Rural-to-urban migration (distress push factor)
Land-use conflicts over shrinking productive land
Inter-state water disputes exacerbated by catchment degradation
Policy and Institutional Framework
Unccd Commitments
Ratified in 1996; National Action Programme (NAP) prepared in 2001
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets (2030): Restore 26 million hectares
LDN as part of SDG target 15.3 (land degradation-neutral world)
Bonn Challenge: India committed to restoring 21 million hectares of degraded forest land (2019 revised to 26 million hectares)
National Policies
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): National Mission for Green India (GIM) focuses on forest restoration
National Policy on Disaster Management (2009): Addresses drought management
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): 'Per drop more crop' — water-use efficiency
Soil Health Card Scheme (2015): Soil testing and nutrient management
National Afforestation Programme (NAP): Tree plantation on degraded forest lands
Watershed Development Component (WDC) of PMKSY: Integrated watershed management
Famine Codes: Being revised as Drought Management Manuals
Institutional Mechanisms
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Nodal ministry for UNCCD
Department of Land Resources (DoLR): Implements watershed programmes
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): Research on land restoration
ISRO (SAC): Monitoring and mapping degradation through remote sensing
State-level agencies: State Land Use Boards, Soil Conservation Departments
Restoration Strategies
Proven Approaches
Watershed management: Integrated soil and water conservation (e.g., Hiware Bazar model)
Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops (e.g., model in Bundelkhand)
Organic farming: Sikkim (100% organic state) — improved soil health
Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Reducing input costs while restoring soil
Way Forward
Convergence: Better coordination among MoEFCC, DoLR, ICAR, and state agencies
Community participation: Strengthen Joint Forest Management (JFM) and watershed committees
Livelihood diversification: Reduce pressure on land through non-farm income
Climate-smart agriculture: Integrated approaches to address climate and land degradation
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES): Incentivise land restoration by farmers
UPSC Relevance
Desertification and land degradation are core topics in Environment & Ecology and Geography (soil, agriculture). Questions appear on causes, state-wise status, UNCCD commitments, and restoration strategies.
Practice Questions
"Land degradation in India is both a cause and consequence of rural poverty." Analyse. (250 words)
Discuss India's progress toward Land Degradation Neutrality targets. What are the key challenges? (150 words)
Explain the role of watershed management in addressing land degradation. (150 words)
Key Takeaways
Nearly 30% of India's land is degraded; water erosion is the dominant type
Agriculture, overgrazing, deforestation, and urbanisation are key drivers
Economic and social impacts are severe, especially for small farmers
India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares by 2030 (LDN target)
Watershed management, agroforestry, and natural farming are proven restoration approaches
Stronger institutional convergence and community participation are critical for success