FRI Celebrated Day to Combat Desertification and Drought -2021
Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Resource Partner and Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division of Forest Research Institute Dehradun, celebrated World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought – 2021. On this occasion, a webinar cum online declamation contest for Indian College/ University students was organized on the theme “Eco-restoration and rehabilitation”. Dr. Vijender Panwar, Coordinator ENVIS-FRI delivered the welcome address and organized the online event.
Sh. Arun Singh Rawat, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) and Director Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun, was the chief guest. He informed that globally, 23 percent of the land is no longer productive; 75 per cent has been transformed from its natural state, primarily for agriculture. This transformation in land use is happening at a faster rate than at any other time in human history and has accelerated over the last 50 years. He stated that many initiatives had been taken across the globe to address issues related to desertification and drought. As per the latest estimates, 96.40 mha (29.32% of total geographical area) area of our country is undergoing land degradation, out of which 82.64 mha falls under drylands. Land degradation is increasingly becoming a major concern in India, reflected in the commitment to achieve land degradation neutral status by 2030 as a signatory to the UNCCD.