Desertification, Water and Women in Banni Grasslands of India

Abstract

Land degradation is one of the most serious ecological issues we face today. From the Rio+20 Summit through the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD-COP15), many countries have made significant commitments to combat desertification. For its part, India also established goals in this area. UNCCD acknowledges the intricate relationship between land degradation and its impacts on women. The convention actively promotes gender-sensitive approaches to addressing environmental issues. The main aim of this study is to assess the present condition of desertification and degradation in the Banni grasslands ecosystem located in Kutch, India. The grasslands in question have undergone a prolonged period of degradation, desertification and droughts spanning several decades. However, a limited number of academic studies have been conducted in relation to this matter. The evaluation of the consequences of Banni’s degradation on the local communities, with a particular focus on women, has been motivated by Sustainable Development Goal 15 and the UNCCD. The researchers conducted an empirical study in the Banni region that integrated both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, utilising structured and unstructured questionnaires as well as interviews. The researchers have utilised inductive reasoning in the process.