ANNOUNCEMENTS
Land Degradation and desertification has emerged as a global concern. India with its agriculture-based economy stares at a crisis of nearly 30% of its land currently undergoing degradation and rising. Climate change coupled with anthropogenic actions centered around changes in land use patterns have accelerated degradation over years. Aravali range, a prominent old fold mountain chain in the North-western part of the country calls for focus. It is an important geographical and geological feature. Region’s temperature, biodiversity, and patterns of human settlement in the area have been shaped by this range, which is also very significant from a cultural, ecological, and historical standpoint. Once served as a natural barrier to the Thar Desert the Aravali landscape with its densely populated area and ecological significance stands vulnerable and witnesses desertification on its biodiverse lands. Modern geospatial techniques and an investigative situational analysis have helped to map the extent of desertification and the prevailing conditions of aridity in the landscape along with an indicative scope of restoration that further pave way for relevant strategies and meeting conservation targets.
