The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. (UPSC IAS Mains 2020 General Studies Paper – 1)
Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert due to a combination of climate change, overgrazing, deforestation, and other human activities. This process can occur in any region where the balance between the natural ecosystem and human activities is disrupted, and it is not limited to specific climate boundaries. Fw examples to illustrate this point:
- Sahel region of Africa: The Sahel region of Africa is a semi-arid zone that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. In recent decades, this region has experienced severe desertification due to a combination of factors, including overgrazing, deforestation, and climate change. As a result, many areas that were once productive farmland have become barren and unusable.
- Central Asia: Central Asia is another region that has experienced desertification due to a combination of factors, including overgrazing, deforestation, and the diversion of rivers for irrigation. The Aral Sea, which was once the fourth-largest lake in the world, has shrunk dramatically in recent decades due to these factors, and the surrounding region has become increasingly arid and desert-like.
- Australia: Australia is another region that has experienced desertification due to human activities. In particular, overgrazing and the introduction of non-native species have contributed to the spread of invasive plant species, which have displaced native vegetation and altered the natural ecosystem. This process has led to the loss of fertile land and the spread of desert-like conditions in many areas.
These examples illustrate that the process of desertification can occur in any region where the balance between human activities and the natural ecosystem is disrupted. While climate change may exacerbate the process in some regions, it is not a necessary precondition for desertification to occur. The loss of fertile land and the spread of desert-like conditions can have serious consequences for the people and ecosystems that depend on these areas for their livelihoods and survival. Therefore, it is important to take steps to prevent and mitigate desertification wherever it occurs.
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