Drought means
mismanagement of natural resources, but
some people have realized. An estimated 55 million people globally are directly
affected by drought every year. Every year the Day to combat against desertification
is celebrated on 17th June. “Rising up from drought together” is the
theme of Combat against desertification. Furthermore, the secretariat of United
Nations emphasizes on the early action which should be examined and formed the
policies for future, is the need of time. Who will be affected from
Desertification? The answer is “ living things which include human being, animals,
birds, and insects”. So, the responsibilities lie in the basket of human beings
and depend on how the natural resources, with conservation framework, are managed
by human beings that will impact the desertification either positive or
negative sense. Let’s discusses some dimensions that will help to understand
the factors and causes of Desertification.
Excessive use
of water is the major factor behind desertification. As estimated by UNs, consumption
of water intensities hydrological drought. The high culture of urban societies attracts
the middle or rural masses to follow them, while watching celebrities on social
media, print media and electronic media. They are indirectly playing their role
in the process that led to intensify the desertification process. All the
products that the people use in their daily life. It is directly stress on
natural resources in general and on water. Real state high markets convert thousands
of acres of forest into high towers. Thus, drought and deforestation lead to
desertification. The contours for international discussion among the nations of
the world should be discussed in a detailed way, under the United Nations
umbrella. It is the need of hour to follow the conversation polices and
framework in letter and spirit to Combat against desertification.
Food shortage
is another dimension of desertification that caused due to water scarcity. The
population growth rate of the world is 1.05 and it puts strain on agriculture
sector which is backbone of society. It is impossible to fulfill the demand of
people where drought impacted 2.7 billion people and caused 11.7 million deaths.
The conversations policies will pave the way that should include, smart use
of land with modern techniques and
technologies of agriculture farming, bio-farming, use natural fertilizers
instead of excessive amount of pesticide and fertilizers, crop rotation
policies, and not harvesting excessive consumption water crops such as rice and
sugarcane. That is the way forward to Combat against the desertification in the
grassroots level, otherwise it will become too late for us to catch the boast
after missing.
Drought and
desertification threats to health of living things irrespective of human and
marine and non marine life. According to one estimate, 3 billion dollars are used
for the treatment of patients that face health issues due to environmental
pollution. Furthermore, Air quality
sanitation and hygiene are the major health problem. In the aftermath of
COVID-19, the health sector becomes important and includes in the top priority
list of several governments around the world. The people are not getting enough
nutrition in the desert areas either in Tharparkar or in Sahara desert. In
addition, non availability of drinking water is the order of the day. It will
cause cardiovascular diseases and mortality rate exposes for unsafe WASH
services. The government should realize the gravity of desertification it will
destroy the natural resources if robustic implementation does not put into
effect.
Gender Equality
is an important tenet to combat against
desertification. Professor, BD Tripathi form Banaras Hindu University said that
women are the pivot of environmental conversation, as they are primary caretaker
of all natural resources, and they are more sensitive for nature than the men. All
initiatives that have taken under the UN programme is male dominant. Without women, who is major tenet
of society, how upcoming generations will know the basic concept of
Environments in general and desertification. Each educated environmentalists’
women equal to three generations because it will take soft course of heart
through her behavior. In addition, Wangari got Noble Pace Prize in 2004 after
planting 300 million trees. All these contours lead to women participation in
all initiatives will be more helpful to Combat against desertification.
The day to
combat against desertification memorized us about interrelated problems and how
much the world has succeeded in to prevent desertification activities. Furthermore,
it gives some lessons in the form of experience. All these factors also provide
the framework for future policy. The main responsibility of educated person is
to share all concepts and basic knowledge of desertification to everyone and
how people will play their role to save the world from absolute desertification.
In this regard, responsible citizen while utilizing natural resources in daily
life, health problems, food shortage and women roles are very important that
will help to fulfill the theme of this year’s To Combat Against Desertification
and taking early action against all practice that destroy the environment in
general and desertification. On this day, remember the importance of land in
our lives to combat desertification and drought and take steps to save it.
Keywords: Drought,
No Drought Land, Tour Drought, Desertification
About the
Author: Muhammad Owais is a Geologist and an Educationist with an aim to work
for environment, climate, and sustainable development. He is lecturer at ALLAMA
Iqbal Open University Islamabad and Professional Mentor for Jobs Preparation.
He stands up to review the educational curriculum that spurs the motivation
among students of climate change that is the only way forward.
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