The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Abstract

Inappropriate use of soil has manifested itself in several forms, including soil erosion, reduced water catchment, deforestation, drought and desertification. More than any other environment-related phenomenon, the deterioration of land resources in the world’s dryland areas is one of the grave problems that has contributed to the impoverishment of people living in these areas. Achieving sustainable soil management has to involve long-term integrated strategies that focus on improved productivity of land, rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources. In doing so, it is recommended to give proper attention to involve and promote cooperation among all relevant actors at all levels. This will establish a better understanding of the nature and value of land resources as well as integrate the issue of sustainable soil management in the overall development policy. The process of rehabilitation of degraded land requires the enactment of an appropriate policy and supporting institutions as well as an enabling environment that ensures the participation of pastoralists, farmers and the other land users. The most important consideration is to place the cooperation of the inhabitants at the forefront of all the initiatives geared towards sustainable soil management. In the context of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the majority of inhabitants of dryland areas derive their livelihood from dryland agriculture and pastoral livestock production.