India has pledged to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, a commitment made at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, according to News9, a TV BRICS partner.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav framed the initiative as central to India’s strategy for tackling land degradation, bolstering food security, and mitigating climate change through innovative land management.
India announcement came during COP16, marking the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD and the largest UN land conference to date, the first held in the Middle East and North Africa region. Delegates gathered to coordinate global efforts to accelerate land restoration, improve drought resilience, enhance soil health, and ensure equitable land use.
In addition to its land restoration pledge, India aligned itself with the G20’s target of planting one trillion trees by 2030, contributing to global carbon sink creation. Yadav also detailed India’s proactive drought strategy, which leverages satellite technology for precise vulnerability assessments, leading to more effective policy implementation.
The UNCCD summit also saw the launch of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, a collaborative effort between Saudi Arabia and the UNCCD aimed at developing robust drought mitigation strategies.
