India to raise target for restoring degraded land: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 9 announced that India would raise its target for restoring degraded land from 21 million hectares to 26 million hectares by 2030.
Speaking at the 14th session of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Modi said between 2015 and 2017, India's tree and forest cover increased by 0.8 million hectares.
"Pray for the sky, the earth, the water, the plans, if these prosper, I prosper" Modi ends his speech on a positive spirit.
Modi promises all round improvement in sanitation.
I would like to announce that India would raise its ambition of the total area that would be restored from its land degradation status, from 21 million hectares to 26 million hectares between now and 2030: Modi.
India looks forward to making an effective contribution as we take over the COP Presidency for a two-year term, says Modi.
India has increased its tree cover by 0.8 million hectares: Modi
When we address degraded lands, we also address water scarcity. Enhancing water recharge, slowing down water runoff, and retaining moisture in the soil and all parts of holistic land strategy: Modi.
India would be happy to propose initiatives for greater South corporation to address the issues of climate change and biodiversity: Modi.
Climate change is leading to land degradation, says Modi
Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also present at the event.
Teens raise environmental concerns at UNCCD CoP 14
The students, associated with SEEDS, an organisation which carries out workshops in schools on climate change, asked, "What will be left for us if there is no land?"
"I have come here to express my views on environmental concerns. I aggressively want to save the environment and want an implementation of climate change mitigation action," a student said.
PTI
I would like to draw your attention to another land degradation which is not implemented, it is the menace of plastic waste. My government has announced that India will put an end to single-use plastic in the coming years: Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Greater Noida.
Importance of women empowerment in combating land desertification discussed at UNCCD conference
Speaking at the 14th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 14) to theUNCCD, Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Representative, UN Women India said, "In a country like India, women account for most of the agricultural work but are still invisible when it comes to their identity.
"This makes it absolutely important that we include gender considerations when we look at land degradation."
Stressing that women's rights were at the centre of the issue of land degradation, she said, "In a period of two years, we are launching the manual on mainstreaming gender considerations in land degradation neutrality (LDN) projects."
PTI
'PM Modi to make good announcement on land degradation'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to make a "good announcement" on what the country intends to do on the issue of land degradation, the head of the UN entity tackling desertification said as India hosts a global summit on desertification and land degradation.
Organic agriculture key to combat land degradation: UN officials
Hundred per cent organic agriculture is key to combat land degradation and desertification, officials of the United Nations said on Friday at the conference of parties to UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The session on 'Mainstreaming Agroecology and Organic Agriculture in India and the Himalayas' was also attended by Bhutan's Agriculture and Forest Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor and former Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling.
"The transition to sustainable food and agriculture systems is critical for a sustainable future.Both Sikkim and Bhutan show with their 100 per cent organic goals that such a transition is possible," Thiaw said.
PTI
Govt to restore over 100 identified wetlands in next 5 yrs
Speaking at the 14th session of the Conference of Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (COP 14), Manju Pandey, Joint Secretary, Environment Ministry, said the role of wetlands is very important in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG).
"Wetlands are finally being given due importance. Their role has now been realised. Under the government's scheme of 'har ghar main jal' (water in every house), we need to focus not only on bringing water to households but also get to the source and conserve it.
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"This Conference is being held at a time when India has assumed the COP Presidency for two years. India has had the honour to host the COP of all three Rio conventions on climate change, biodiversity and land," tweeted PM Modi.