Guwahati: The entire world is celebrating Environment Day on June 5. World Environment Day is an initiative by the United Nations to promote environmental awareness and action worldwide. The focus of the day is on land restoration, stopping desertification, and building drought resilience, with the slogan 'Our Land, Our Future.' The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 2024 global celebrations, focusing on delivering solutions to these pressing issues.
Land restoration can reverse land degradation, drought, and desertification, with each dollar invested in restoration yielding up to USD30 in ecosystem services. Restoring just 15 percent of degraded land could prevent up to 60 percent of expected species extinctions.
Addressing the root causes of land degradation, such as climate change, is essential. Effective land restoration must go hand-in-hand with tackling climate change; otherwise, efforts are undermined.
India is leading the way in sustainability and environmental conservation with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), an India-led global mass movement promoting eco-friendly practices and sustainable lifestyles. India is the first country to include LiFE in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), reflecting its commitment to combating climate change through behavioral change rooted in traditional, sustainable living.
The government of India encourages tree plantation in the country through various programs and schemes such as the National Mission for Green India (GIM), National Afforestation Programme (NAP), Nagar Van Yojana, School Nursery Yojana, and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds.
India's commitment to wetland conservation has seen significant milestones, including expanding its Ramsar Site count to 80 in January 2024 and adding 11 wetlands in August 2022.
India has made notable progress in forest conservation and sustainable forest management, ranking third globally in net forest area gain over the past fifteen years. The country has expanded its network of protected areas, including wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and tiger reserves.
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