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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Unethical to call Badagas forest encroachers: Activist
COIMBATORE: A Kotagiri-based activist, Yukesh Saravanan, who is also the convenor of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Youth Caucus, has called out the forest department for its unethical approach in evicting residents of Ajoor, a Badaga hamlet in Udhagamandalam Taluk, two days after they filed a petition with the Nilgiris Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneru. "It is morally incorrect to term Badagas as encroachers of forest lands, owing to anthropological and archeological evidence, which is a testament to their intricate relationship with forests. The 1809 census enumeration, documented by the British, substantially claims the presence of a Badaga populace in Ajoor. This data was gathered before the introduction of the Madras Forest Act and Indian Forest Act in 1882 and 1927, respectively. The contentious region today is mostly plantations and has around 350 houses, untouched by any factors impairing environmental balance," said Yukesh Saravanan, who sent a letter to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, demanding the forest department withdraw its move. He added that the residents bearing the brunt of eviction are fit to be classified as Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). "The provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 aim to recognise and vest forest rights, including the right to live in the forest, cultivate and collect forest produce. Mulling their eviction not only undermines the harmonious co-existence between people and forests, but also disregards constitutional mandates to save the custodians of forests," he said.


Morocco World
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Morocco Enters Global Drought Hotspot List, Report Warns
A new international report confirms Morocco's place among the countries most severely affected by drought, raising alarm over shrinking water reserves, declining agricultural yields, and growing social vulnerability. The study, released by the US-based National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) in partnership with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), identifies Morocco, Spain, and Turkey as the hardest-hit countries in the Mediterranean basin. It draws on hundreds of scientific, governmental, and media sources to track drought pressure globally between 2023 and 2025. In Morocco, the report indicates that drought has long defined the country's climate. However, dry spells have become more and more persistent and intense since the early 1900s. This change now risks converting already strained ecosystems into intensely arid zones. The report states that Morocco 'should become more arid over the course of the 21st century,' with droughts expected to strike more often and with greater force. Water availability, already at a critical level of 645 cubic meters per person in 2015, could fall to 500 cubic meters by 2050. Projections toward the end of the century show rainfall dropping by as much as 65% in key mountain basins in the High Atlas, further weakening the country's already fragile water cycle. Agriculture and rural life under strain The fallout has already reached homes, farms, and businesses. Low dam levels and depleted groundwater have led to water restrictions in several regions, affecting both daily life and major economic sectors. Agriculture, in particular, faces growing difficulty. The report points to hefty losses in cereal and vegetable yields, which have undermined farmers' incomes. The downturn has set off a chain reaction, affecting rural employment and stoking fears of social instability in vulnerable areas. According to the report, Morocco's adaptive capacity remains low despite investments in modern infrastructure and sensitization. Urgency for policy shifts To slow down the crisis, the NDMC calls for stronger water demand management, quicker diversification of supply sources through desalination and wastewater recycling, and better preparedness for future drought episodes. The report calls for community involvement and local awareness in order to build long-term resilience. Morocco could otherwise face the prospect of recurrent crises, compounded by climate patterns that no longer follow old rhythms, it warns. Tags: droughtMoroccowater deficitwater reserves


New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Global drought: A perfect storm
Sixty-eight million people needing food aid in Southern Africa, 23 million facing acute hunger in Eastern Africa, 4.4 million in Somalia at crisis-level food insecurity, and 1.7 million children suffering acute malnutrition in Somalia — millions are suffering as the global drought crisis deepens in 2023-2025, according to a comprehensive report released today by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), titled Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025. Supported by the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the report synthesises data from over 250 peer-reviewed studies, official records, and media sources across more than a dozen countries, revealing a slow-moving catastrophe that has devastated ecosystems, economies, and human lives since 2023. With impacts persisting into 2025, experts warn that the world is entering a 'new normal' of escalating drought severity. The data is alarming. In Eastern and Southern Africa, over 90 million people face acute hunger, with 68 million in Southern Africa requiring food aid as of August 2024. Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have seen repeated crop failures, with Zimbabwe's 2024 maize harvest plummeting 70% year-on-year, driving maize prices to double and leading to the death of 9,000 cattle from thirst and starvation. In Somalia, 43,000 people died in 2022 due to drought-linked hunger, and by early 2025, 4.4 million—over a quarter of the population—face crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 at emergency levels. The energy crisis in Zambia has cascading effects. The Zambezi River, critical for hydropower, dropped to 20 per cent of its long-term average discharge by April 2024, reducing the Kariba Dam's generation capacity to 7 per cent. This triggered blackouts lasting up to 21 hours daily, shuttering hospitals, bakeries, and factories.


India Today
03-07-2025
- Climate
- India Today
How climate change-fuelled drought hit India's sugar production
A new UN-backed report reveals that severe droughts since 2023 have disrupted production and supply chains of key crops like rice, coffee, and sugar, triggering global price rises and deepening food report, Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025, prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), highlights how climate change and increasing pressure on land and water resources have fueled some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded Thailand and India, major producers of sugar, the 2023-2024 dry conditions caused a 12.4% drop in sugar harvests. This shortage contributed to an 8.9% increase in sugar and sweets prices in the United States over the past year. Similarly, rice production in Southeast Asia was severely the region's largest economy, faced steep rice shortages by late 2023, forcing imports from neighboring countries to meet demand. The resulting rice price surge became a key driver of inflation, prompting the Indonesian government to provide rice aid to over 21 million families. Bullock carts loaded with sugarcane head towards the Saiyadri Sugar Factory during the crushing season, in Karad. (PTI Photo) advertisementCoffee production also suffered. Vietnam, the world's largest producer of Robusta coffee, experienced a 20% decline in its 2023-24 harvest due to heat, drought, and pest outbreaks, pushing coffee futures to record drought conditions were intensified by the 2023–2024 El Nio event, which amplified the impacts of climate change across vulnerable Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw described drought as a 'silent killer' that slowly drains resources and devastates lives. The report warns that drought is no longer a distant threat but an escalating crisis demanding urgent global cooperation. It compounds poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem collapse, with ripple effects disrupting economies emphasise that drought's growing frequency and severity—driven by climate change—require proactive, coordinated action, including improved early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable water such measures, droughts will continue to threaten food security and livelihoods across the globe.- EndsTrending Reel


India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
MoEFCC organizes one-day national workshop on
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], June 17 (ANI): On the occasion of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, organized a one-day national workshop at the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education - Arid Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-AFRI), Jodhpur. The theme of the event was 'Strategies for Combating Desertification and Drought', focusing on sustainable land management in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, according to a release by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The event was graced by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, as Chief Guest in august presence of Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Rajendra Gehlot. Speaking on the inaugural session, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, highlighted India's proactive measures to combat desertification and promote ecological restoration. He emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, community-driven initiatives, and the preservation of natural ecosystems, according to the release. Union Minister Yadav pointed out that significant portion of India's land is facing challenges due to desertification, primarily caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive use of fertilizers like urea, and indiscriminate pesticide application. He stressed that such practices not only degrade the land but also pose a threat to food security and biodiversity, the release added. In line with India's commitment to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the government has adopted a comprehensive approach focusing on ecosystem restoration, drought resilience, and biodiversity enhancement. Yadav emphasized that healthy land is crucial for regional stability and economic prosperity, urging nations to join efforts in combating land degradation. According to address these challenges, following steps could help in restoring the ecological balance: Amrit Sarovars: Aiming to rejuvenate water bodies to combat desertification and support Van: Encouraging communities, especially in the Aravalli region, to plant trees in the name of their mothers, fostering a deep connection with nature. Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: A nationwide movement initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where citizens plant trees in honor of their mothers, symbolizing respect for 'Mother Earth', the release stated. Yadav highlighted that these initiatives are not just about planting trees but about restoring ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. He further said that the Aravalli Mountain range, spanning 700 kilometers across 29 districts, holds significant ecological and cultural importance. Shri Yadav emphasized that the Aravallis are not only a natural barrier against desertification but also a cradle of India's civilization and heritage. He urged local communities to actively participate in conservation efforts and restore degraded areas through collaborative actions. Looking ahead to 2047, Yadav expressed confidence that India will achieve its green economy goals by integrating ecological sustainability with economic development. He reiterated that the nation's development trajectory will be aligned with ecological preservation, ensuring a harmonious balance between growth and environmental stewardship. Addressing on the occasion, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, emphasized the vital role of the Aravalli Mountain range in combating desertification and preserving ecological balance. Union Minister Shekhawat highlighted that while global forest cover has been declining, India has made significant strides in increasing its forest cover. He noted, 'The Aravalli Mountain range has been instrumental in water conservation, groundwater recharge, and maintaining biodiversity. It serves as a natural barrier against the advancing Thar Desert, protecting regions like Eastern Rajasthan, Haryana, and the National Capital Region. The Minister further stated, 'Our responsibility is immense. The Aravallis have sustained our civilization for thousands of years, and it is our duty to preserve this heritage for future generations,' Shekhawat also acknowledged the contributions of local communities in safeguarding the environment. He remarked, 'Many individuals have dedicated their lives to environmental conservation, embodying the spirit of vigilant environmental stewardship.' The workshop featured a series of technical sessions covering key themes in land restoration and desertification control. Discussions on Sustainable Land Management (SLM) highlighted MoEFCC and ICFRE institutes integrated, community-led restoration efforts. This was followed by presentations on Global and National case studies by development partners like UNDP, ADB, GIZ, KfW, AFD and World Bank. A dedicated session on the Aravalli Green Wall Project focused on inter-state collaboration to restore ecological balance in the Aravalli region. The final session addressed Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) through multi-stakeholder actions involving state governments, SAC, CAZRI, NGOs, and others. The event concluded with a wrap-up session affirming India's commitment to science-based, participatory, and policy-driven desertification mitigation, according to the release. This event reaffirmed India's leadership role under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and demonstrated its progress toward achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030, with a strong focus on knowledge exchange, collaboration, and field-level impact. This workshop is also part of India's broader efforts to address the environmental challenges of desertification, especially in vulnerable regions such as the Aravallis and the Thar Desert, the release added. The event was attended by DG, Forest Sushil Kumar Awasthi, ADG (Forest) Kanchan Devi, DG, ICFRE and Tarun Kant, Director, AFRI and other dignitaries and officials of central and state governments. (ANI)