Chapter 1 - Preamble

Section 1 - Social & Economic Dimensions

Section 2 - Conservation and Management of Resources
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22

Section 3 - Strengthening the Role of Major Groups

Section 4 - Means of Implementation

Complete text of Agenda 21: Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Combating Desertification and Drought Desertification is the process of land degradation caused by variations in climate and by human impact. It particularly affects drylands that are already ecologically fragile.

The most obvious impacts of desertification are the degradation of grazing lands, and a decline in food production. The results of drought and desertification include poverty and starvation. An estimated 3 million people died in the mid-1980s because of drought in sub-Saharan Africa.

The problem is very large. Seventy per cent of all the world’s drylands: 3.6 billion hectares: are already affected by degradation. This is one-quarter of the world’s land: an area three times larger than Europe. Degradation, particularly salination caused by inadequate drainage, affects large tracts of irrigated cropland.

To stop desertification from spreading, land use, including farming and grazing must be made environmentally sound, socially acceptable, fair and economically feasible.

One of the major tools to fight the spread of deserts is the planting of trees and other plants that retain water and maintain soil quality. Plantations can be harvested for such products as fuel, timber, fodder and food.

To combat desertification, governments should:

• Adopt national sustainable land-use plans and sustainable management of water resources.
• Accelerate planting programmes, using fast-growing, drought-resistant local trees and other plants.
• Help to reduce the demand for fuel wood through energy efficiency and alternative energy programmes.

In areas prone to desertification and drought, traditional farming and grazing lifestyles are often inadequate and unsustainable, particularly in the face of increasing populations. Rural dwellers should be trained in soil and water conservation, water harvesting, agroforestry and small-scale irrigation. National anti-desertification programmes are needed to raise public awareness of measures needed to combat the problem.

Poverty is a major factor in accelerating the rate of degradation and desertification. To reduce pressure on the fragile lands, it is necessary to rehabilitate degraded lands, and provide alternative livelihoods for people. Rural banking and credit systems should be set up to help people establish small businesses that use local resources.

In addition, it is necessary to establish an international drought emergency response system equipped with food, health care, shelter, transport and finances.

It is necessary to strengthen such programmes as Earthwatch and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, as well as national and regional weather and water monitoring networks. Their information will help governments to develop land use plans, and will provide early warnings of droughts, so people can prepare in time.

An international convention to combat desertification, particularly in Africa, should be prepared by June 1994.

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