The World Day To Combat Desertification And Drought is observed on June 17 every year. Introduced by the United Nations, the day aims to bring awareness about a green planet, sustainable development, and the health and welfare of people.

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The theme of World Day To Combat Desertification And Drought 2021 is ‘Restoration. Land. Recovery’.

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Addressing the United Nations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country is working towards restoring 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land by 2030 and assisting fellow developing countries to develop land restoration strategies. 

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Here are a few ways to restore land and the environment:

  1. Integrate land used for grazing and farming. This allows the recycling of nutrients within the agricultural system.
  2. Integrate land and water management system to prevent soil erosion and other forms of land degradation.
  3. Effective management of dryland resources and adoption of efficient technologies.
  4. Recycling water is one of the key ways to avoid droughts and desertification, especially in areas facing water scarcity.
  5. Strengthening vegetative cover can help in soil conservation against wind and water erosion.