World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought Observed

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav releasing a publication during an event organised for observing the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in New Delhi on 17 June, 2022. The event showcased presentations on various aspects of desertification such as on initiative taken on restoration of Banni grassland, experience on Indian Eco-restoration of deserts, forestry certification & achieving land degradation neutrality.

The Environment Minister released Forest Stewardship Council’s Forest Stewardship Standard for India during the event. This India-specific, voluntary forest management standard will give impetus to third-party auditing of forest owners for various principles, criteria and indicators. Experiences on management of desertification and land degradation by progressive farmer & conservationist like Sunda Ram Verma, Padma Shree awardee, 2020 and Himmata Ram Bhambhu, Padma Shree awardee, 2020 were also shared during the event.