India Restores 22 Million Hectares of Degraded Land Between 2011-2020
India has made significant progress in restoring degraded land, with official assessments revealing that 22 million hectares were restored between 2011 and 2020. This achievement marks a notable step in the country's efforts to combat land degradation and desertification.
Land degradation refers to the decline in the quality and productivity of soil caused by factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, improper agricultural practices, and climate variability. Restoring such land involves measures like afforestation, soil conservation, and sustainable water management. Healthy land is crucial for food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity.
The restoration effort aligns with India's international commitments, including the Bonn Challenge, a global initiative aiming to restore 350 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2030. India has pledged to restore 26 million hectares as part of this initiative. The 22 million hectares restored in the last decade demonstrates substantial progress toward that goal.
Various government programmes and community-led initiatives have contributed to this achievement. These include the National Afforestation Programme, the Green India Mission, and the Soil Health Management scheme, among others. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has also funded water harvesting and soil conservation works that support land restoration. The data, based on satellite imagery and field assessments by institutions such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, provides a reliable picture of the progress.
According to estimates, India has over 90 million hectares of degraded land. The restoration of 22 million hectares covers roughly a quarter of this area, reflecting the scale of the challenge. Despite these gains, experts emphasise that much remains to be done. Population pressure, urbanisation, and intensive agriculture continue to put stress on land resources.
The benefits of land restoration are manifold. It improves soil fertility, enhances water storage, increases carbon sequestration, and supports biodiversity. For rural communities, restored land can mean better crop yields and improved access to fodder and fuelwood, directly contributing to poverty reduction. Moreover, restoring land helps India meet its commitments under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its voluntary target of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.
Going forward, integrating land restoration into broader development planning will be key. Policies that encourage sustainable farming, promote agroforestry, and strengthen community management of natural resources can help maintain and expand the gains achieved. The progress made between 2011 and 2020 offers a foundation to build upon for a more resilient and sustainable future.
