A new report by the United Nations highlights that up to 50% of the world’s rangelands are estimated to be degraded, nearly double previous estimates. Over 60 expert contributors from 40+ countries of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) collaborated on this report.
Release of the Report
- Titled “Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists”, it was released on May 21, 2024.
- This report challenges past estimates, indicating a significant underestimation of rangeland degradation.
Extent of Rangelands
- Rangelands cover 80 million square kilometers, constituting over 54% of the terrestrial surface.
- Despite their vast coverage, they account for only one-sixth of global food production but hold a third of the planet’s carbon reservoir.
Rangelands in India
- In India, rangelands occupy approximately 121 million hectares, with grazing land covering around 40% of the total land surface, including grasslands (17%) and forests (23%).
Drivers of Degradation
- Global rangeland degradation is primarily driven by land use changes, including conversion to cropland, population growth, urban expansion, excessive grazing, and policy incentives favoring overexploitation.
Silent Degradation
- The conversion of rangelands often occurs without public attention, leading to diminished agricultural yields and soil degradation.
Marginalization of Pastoralist Communities
- Pastoralist communities, often marginalized, lack influence in policy decisions affecting their food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity.
Threats to Pastoralism
- Weak governance, poorly implemented policies, and lack of investment undermine pastoralist livelihoods and cultures worldwide.
International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
- In 2022, the United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for sustainable pastoralism.
National Census in India
- India’s Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying is initiating a census to estimate the number of pastoralists, their livestock, and the pastoral economy.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What percentage of the world’s rangelands are estimated to be degraded according to the new UN report?
- A) Up to 20%
- B) Up to 35%
- C) Up to 50%
- D) Up to 65%
- Answer: C) Up to 50%
- What is the primary driver of global rangeland degradation mentioned in the report?
- A) Industrial pollution
- B) Population decline
- C) Conversion to cropland
- D) Climate stability
- Answer: C) Conversion to cropland
- When was the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists declared by the United Nations?
- A) 2020
- B) 2021
- C) 2022
- D) 2023
- Answer: C) 2022
- What is the percentage of India’s land surface used for grazing, including grasslands and forests?
- A) 10%
- B) 20%
- C) 30%
- D) 40%
- Answer: D) 40%
- What is the aim of the census being initiated by India’s Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying?
- A) Estimating the number of wildlife species
- B) Estimating the number of pastoralists and their livestock
- C) Assessing urban population growth
- D) Analyzing industrial pollution levels
- Answer: B) Estimating the number of pastoralists and their livestock