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World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026

Kumari Sonali

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026:

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was observed globally recently.

  • It is observed annually on June 17 to spread awareness about international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought.
  • Desertification was identified as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
  • In 1994, the UN General Assembly established the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
  • This legally binding international agreement linked the environment and development to sustainable land management.
  • In addition to the UNCCD, the UN proclaimed June 17 as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
  • In 2026, the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” highlights the importance of rangelands—ecosystems that have long been undervalued despite their critical role.
  • This year’s observance also aligns with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
  • Rangelands are expansive natural areas primarily characterized by native vegetation like grasses, shrubs, and forbs.
  • Covering about 50% of the Earth’s land surface, they play a vital role in supporting livestock, wildlife, and diverse ecosystems.
  • These lands are not typically suitable for intensive agriculture due to limitations such as low precipitation and poor soil quality.
  • Rangelands provide essential resources, including recreational opportunities and habitats for various animal species, while also serving as watersheds and mining locations.
  • The dynamic nature of rangelands is influenced by numerous factors, including climate changes, grazing practices, and human encroachment.
  • Rangelands store vast amounts of carbon and either originate or serve as freshwater catchment areas for most of the world’s largest rivers and wetlands.
  • They support the lives of around two billion people worldwide, including many pastoralists and Indigenous Peoples whose knowledge and stewardship have sustained these landscapes for generations.
  • Rangelands provide almost 70 per cent of livestock feed globally, making them critical to food systems.
  • Indian rangelands occupy about 121 million hectares, from the Thar Desert to the alpine meadows in the Himalayas.
  • According to the UNCCD ‘Global Land Outlook Thematic Report’, the area used for grazing is estimated at around 40 per cent of the total land surface of India, including grasslands (17 per cent), and forests (23 per cent).
  • Around 70 per cent of rangelands are in the temperate region, however, a large share is considered underutilised, including degraded forest lands, land unsuitable for crop production, ravines, and wastelands.

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists:

  • The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
  • Led by Mongolia and supported by a broad coalition of organisations, this initiative aims to raise awareness, encourage responsible investments and shape policies that safeguard rangelands and pastoralist livelihoods.
  • Present in more than 75 percent of countries and managing at least one quarter of the world’s land, pastoralists herd about one billion animals worldwide.