Why land degradation in India has increased and how to deal with it
▻https://india.mongabay.com/2018/10/03/why-land-degradation-in-india-has-increased-and-how-to-deal-with-it
India’s land is undergoing degradation or desertification. In 2011-2013, it stood at 29.3 percent of the total land, representing an increase of 0.57 percent (which is 1.87 million hectares in area) compared with 2003-2005, according to a report-cum-atlas by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre.
Soil erosion due to water and wind, and degradation of vegetation cover were the main processes that has led to land degradation.
Almost 90 percent of the states experienced a rise – notably Delhi and the northeastern states – in land degradation in 2011-2013 compared with 2003-2005 while four states showed slight decreases in land degradation.
Reclaiming degraded lands will require a strict land-use policy and better watershed management initiatives, say experts.