3 animal species in India extinct due to desertification: Researchers at UNCCD meet
3-4 animal species have gone extinct in India due to desertification, researchers warned at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14).
At least three to four species of animals, such as the Indian Cheetah, pink-headed duck, and the Great Indian Bustard, have become extinct due to desertification in India, researchers warned at the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14).
"We have a database for more than 5.6 million specimens, collected from all over India and also from the neighbouring countries before independence. They give a lot of information about how things have changed in more than 100 years," Kailash Chandra, Director of the Zoological Survey of India, told ANI.
"If you see their distribution in geo-special platforms, you'll realise how much changes have occurred because of the impact of deforestation and desertification," Chandra said.
He said, "Many more are on the verge of becoming extinct and therefore fall into the category of critically endangered species."
"These specimens have reduced to less than 150. This is a matter of great concern," the researcher stressed.
Cause of desertification
Chandra stressed that desertification may be caused due to insecticides, pesticides, conversion to agricultural land, industries and chemicals, indiscriminate development but everything has to be regulated so that it could be minimised and we can reverse this process back.
The researcher also said that desertification not only impacts animals but the entire biodiversity, which includes microscopic animals to human beings.
"The entire food chain is affected due to this desertification," Chandra stressed.
India facing land degradation crisis
It was also stated in the forum that India faces a growing crisis of land degradation. More than 30 percent of its land area has been degraded through deforestation, over-cultivation, soil erosion and depletion of wetlands.
Degraded land can push families into poverty, especially those engaged in agriculture. This causes disparity among populations, increasing inequality.
The #UNCCDCOP14 will discuss solutions for combating #Desertification and reducing inequality. #DrawLife2Land #LDNtargets #SDG10 pic.twitter.com/FEFrqWV0as UNCCD (@UNCCD) September 8, 2019
The Convention, started earlier this week, came at a critical juncture when not only India but the entire world is facing problems regarding soil aridity, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems can be found.
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