World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on June 17 every year. To promote public awareness relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought, the day is being observed since 1994. The day also focuses on changing public attitudes to the leading driver of desertification and land degradation.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) plays a key role in the world’s efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve sustainable development and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the convention, globally, 23 percent of the land is no longer productive. 75 percent has been transformed from its natural state, mostly for agriculture. This transformation in land use is happening at a faster rate than at any other time in human history and has accelerated over the last 50 years. Scientists say the evolution from one state to the next is so rapid, the process is only observable over very short periods. Everyone needs to know that desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD) have a direct effect on their daily lives and that everyone’s daily actions can either contribute to, or help fight DLDD.
The lack of rainfall killing several water bodies like rivers, reservoirs, or streams, and groundwater supplies leads to a hydrological drought.
Meteorological drought is defined usually based on the degree of dryness (in comparison to some “normal” or average amount) and the duration of the dry period.
Agricultural droughts can occur for a variety of reasons, including low precipitation, the timing of water availability, or decreased access to water supplies. Farmers are most concerned when available water supplies are not able to meet crop water demands.