Saudi Minister Cites India’s Efforts In Combating Land Degradation, Drought

As Saudi capital Riyadh will get able to host the Convention of the Events (COP16) of the United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification (UNCCD), Dr Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister of Setting, Water and Agriculture, has praised India’s efforts on combating land degradation and drought. 

Dr Faqeeha, who can be an advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, in an e mail interview, talked about the “success tales” from Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. “As an example, in Rajasthan’s Lapodia village, the revival of conventional water harvesting techniques has not solely raised water tables but additionally regenerated degraded grasslands, inspiring over 50 neighbouring villages to undertake related practices,” he mentioned.

Lapodia village at the moment stands out like a inexperienced oasis in Rajasthan. This village, with a bit over 300 households is simply two hours from state capital Jaipur, reworked itself right into a drought-proof village largely by way of the revival of conventional water-harvesting constructions.

Highlighting one other Indian success story, Dr Faqeeha spoke about “the exceptional transformation achieved by Renuka Bio Farms in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district”. “It reveals how combining conventional knowledge with trendy methods can convert barren wetland into thriving agro-ecological techniques”.

 “These tales display the transformative energy of native initiatives in combating land degradation. These initiatives exemplify precisely what we hope to showcase and amplify at COP16 in Riyadh – sensible, community-driven options that may be tailored and replicated globally,” he mentioned.

Highlighting similarities between Saudi and Indian desert area of Rajasthan, the Saudi minister emphasised  on creating pure alternatives for collaboration and information alternate. 

“The arid local weather challenges we face in Saudi Arabia share many similarities with areas like Rajasthan. In Saudi Arabia we’re specializing in using renewable water sources, leveraging water conservation practices, and pursuing formidable rural improvement programmes.”

“Profitable initiatives just like the Ghandivan mission in Jaipur, which has reworked barren wasteland right into a thriving ecosystem by way of community-driven efforts, provide helpful insights that may be tailored throughout completely different areas.”

He added that Riyadh will create platforms for sharing such experiences and finest practices to learn international locations, areas, and the planet at COP16.

Talking on the Saudi’s main targets for the presidency of COP16, Dr Faqeeha said that the centered is on elevating consciousness of the impression of land degradation, drought, and desertification. “The dimensions of our problem is stark: globally, we lose land equal to 4 soccer fields each second, amounting to 100 million hectares yearly.”

“COP16 in Riyadh represents an important turning level in our world response to land degradation and drought. By bringing collectively stakeholders from throughout sectors and generations, we’ll catalyse a brand new period of environmental motion characterised by concrete commitments, progressive options, and significant collaboration.”

The Convention of the Events (COP16) of the United Nations Conference to Fight Desertification (UNCCD) will happen in Riyadh from 2 to 13 December 2024.


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