small gov

Desertification and Drought Day 2024

Addressing Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought 

17th June 2024

DDD 2024

  1. Introduction:

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994 to tackle desertification, land degradation, and drought globally. Sri Lanka, recognizing the significance of these issues, became a party to the convention in 1995, with the Ministry of Environment acting as the National Focal Point.

1.1. Global Context:

Desertification, land degradation, and droughts pose significant challenges globally, impacting biodiversity, socio-economic stability, and sustainable development. Recognizing the severity of the issue, the United Nations designated June 17 as "Desertification and Drought Day" to raise awareness and promote solutions.

1.2. Desertification and Drought Day 2024:

The focus of the desertification and drought day in 2024 is on the future of land stewardship, highlighting the importance of sustainable land management. With 40% of the world's land degraded, this year's theme, "United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future." emphasizes the need for collective action to preserve land for future generations.  This theme spotlights “Land Stewardship” whichinvolves preserving natural environments, biodiversity, and ecological values through sustainable practices. It emphasizes caring for land regardless of ownership, considering ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Strategies that can be adopted for promoting land stewardship includes sustainable land management practices, restoring natural habitats, enhancing traditional knowledge, and promoting biodiversity.

1.3. The Status of Land Degradation and Drought in Sri Lanka & Commemorating

          "Desertification and Drought Day 2024

 

Sri Lanka faces challenges with 34% of its land area experiencing declining productivity or stress. Approximately 50% of the land is degraded, with issues like soil fertility decline and erosion affecting agricultural output. Droughts, primarily in southeastern, north central, and northwestern regions, severely impact livelihoods and necessitate relief efforts, posing challenges due to increasing unpredictability and frequency of rainfall. Sri Lanka, as a party to the UNCCD, recognizes the importance of combating desertification, land degradation, and droughts.

In this perspective, the promoting the "Land Stewardship" approach is crucial for addressing the specific needs of Sri Lanka's land management. Thus, the Natural Resources Management Division (NRM)  of the Ministry of Environment planning to commemorate "Desertification and Drought Day in 2024" in collaboration with “Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project (CRIWMP)”, financed by the Green Climate Fund, and implemented by the Ministry of Irrigation with the technical support from UNDP.

  1. Programme of the "Desertification and Drought Day” -2024

To highlight the importance of mitigating the impact of land degradation and drought, the Ministry of Environment plans to conduct an awareness creation programme for relevant stakeholder agencies. The programme aims to foster collaborative efforts to overcome barriers in the decision-making, planning, and implementing land stewardship for sustainable land management.   

  1. Content of the Programme:
  2. Local Community Engagement: Explores the role of local communities in sustainable land management. Discuss how their participation can bridge the gap between governmental objective and community perspective
  3. Keynote speech: Highlights UNCCD, desertification & drought day and desertification/ land degradation and drought initiatives in Sri Lanka.
  • Collaborative Planning: Explores collaborative planning models that involve stakeholders from various sectors and discusses how inclusive planning can lead to better land management outcomes.
  1. Presenting Case Study: Highlighting innovative and effective women-led solutions for resilience and adaptation in drought management. This submission was recognized by UNCCD, placing Sri Lanka among the top 20 countries from over 80 research papers.
  2. Success Story on Sustainable Land Management: GEF project on Rehabilitation of Degraded Agricultural Lands in Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
  3. Street Drama: Tank Cascade Management as a means of achieving sustainable land management.