Understanding the Issues

Land degradation, desertification and drought are interconnected environmental challenges that have far-reaching consequences for both ecosystems and human well-being. Land degradation refers to the deterioration of land quality, often caused by human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing and unsustainable agriculture practices. Desertification, on the other hand, occurs when fertile land becomes desert as a result of various factors including climate change, deforestation and overexploitation of land resources.

Drought, a recurring natural phenomenon, is further exacerbated by climate change, leading to water scarcity, crop failures and socio-economic hardships for millions of people worldwide. These environmental challenges not only threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services but also jeopardize food security, livelihoods, and economic development, particularly in vulnerable communities.

The Importance of Land Restoration

Land restoration plays a crucial role in reversing the negative impacts of land degradation, desertification and drought. By restoring degraded land, we can enhance soil fertility, promote biodiversity, and improve ecosystem services such as water regulation and carbon sequestration. Restored landscapes also provide vital habitats for wildlife and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Furthermore, investing in land restoration can yield significant socio-economic benefits, including job creation, improved agricultural productivity, and enhanced resilience to climate shocks. By restoring degraded land, we can unlock new opportunities for sustainable development and poverty alleviation, particularly in rural areas where land degradation often hits the hardest.

Building Resilience Against Drought

Drought resilience is essential for coping with the impacts of water scarcity and maintaining the productivity of ecosystems and livelihoods. Building resilience involves implementing a range of measures, including water conservation, sustainable land management, and the development of drought-resistant crops. It also requires strengthening early warning systems, improving water governance, and enhancing community participation in drought preparedness and response efforts.

Investing in drought-resilient infrastructure, such as water harvesting systems, drip irrigation, and soil conservation techniques, can help mitigate the impacts of drought and ensure the sustainable use of scarce water resources. Additionally, promoting sustainable land practices, such as agroforestry, organic farming, and rotational grazing, can help restore soil health, increase water retention, and enhance ecosystem resilience to drought.

Addressing Desertification Through Collective Action

Combatting desertification requires concerted efforts at local, national, and international levels. Governments, civil society organizations, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play in addressing this pressing environmental challenge. Efforts to prevent desertification and restore degraded land must be integrated into broader sustainable development strategies, taking into account the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of land management.

International cooperation and partnerships are also crucial for sharing knowledge, mobilizing resources, and implementing effective solutions to desertification and land degradation. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) provides a global framework for addressing desertification and promoting sustainable land management practices. By working together, we can strengthen resilience to desertification, protect ecosystems, and safeguard the well-being of present and future generations.

Conclusion

On World Environment Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting and restoring the land for the benefit of people and the planet. By promoting land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, we can address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time and create a more sustainable and resilient future for all. It is time to act decisively to safeguard our land resources, preserve biodiversity, and ensure the well-being of current and future generations. Together, we can make a positive difference and build a more sustainable world for generations to come. Join our WhatsApp Group to make a positive change locally and globally.

Tobacco is the 4th highest risk factor in India which drives the most deaths and disabilities. Tobacco accounts around 1.35 million deaths every year in India among which smoking is the major cause of death. Among 1.35 million deaths every year-

• Active Smoking contributes 1 Million+ Deaths,
• Passive Smoking contributes 2.5 Lakh Deaths and 
• Chewing Tobacco contributes more than 35000 Deaths.

Every year, on May 31st, the world observes World No Tobacco Day, an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. In 2024, the theme revolves around protecting children from tobacco industry interference, highlighting the urgent need to shield the younger generation from the manipulative tactics of an industry that thrives on addiction and profit.

The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting children and adolescents as potential consumers. From colorful packaging and enticing flavors to aggressive marketing campaigns, tobacco companies spare no effort in luring youngsters into a lifelong habit that poses grave health risks. Despite stringent regulations in many countries, the industry continues to find loopholes and exploit vulnerabilities to maintain its customer base, often at the expense of the most vulnerable members of society — children.

One of the most insidious tactics employed by the tobacco industry is the strategic placement of tobacco products and advertisements in locations frequented by children. Whether it’s near schools, playgrounds or in popular media channels and social platforms heavily accessed by young people, these placements normalize smoking and create a false perception of social acceptability. Moreover, the use of influencers and celebrities to endorse tobacco products further reinforces the allure of smoking among impressionable minds.

Another concerning aspect is the proliferation of novel tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which are often marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. While these products may have fewer harmful substances than combustible tobacco, they are by no means safe, especially for young users. The enticing flavors and sleek designs of these products are specifically designed to appeal to youth, leading to a worrying rise in nicotine addiction among adolescents.

Furthermore, the tobacco industry has a well-documented history of lobbying and influencing policymakers to water down regulations or delay the implementation of effective tobacco control measures. By leveraging their economic power and political connections, tobacco companies obstruct efforts to enforce stricter packaging and advertising laws, increase tobacco taxes and implement comprehensive smoke-free policies. This interference not only undermines public health initiatives but also perpetuates the cycle of addiction and disease.

In light of these challenges, it is imperative that governments and civil society take decisive action to protect children from tobacco industry interference. Stronger regulations must be implemented to restrict the marketing, sale and distribution of tobacco products near places where children congregate. Comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, both online and offline, are essential to prevent young people from being exposed to pro-smoking messages.

Additionally, efforts to regulate novel tobacco products must be intensified to prevent their widespread use among youth. Stricter age verification measures and marketing restrictions should be imposed to curb the accessibility and appeal of these products to minors. Education and awareness campaigns targeting both children and parents are also crucial in debunking myths about the safety of alternative tobacco products and highlighting the long-term health consequences of nicotine addiction.

Moreover, governments must remain vigilant against tobacco industry interference in public health policymaking. Transparency measures should be implemented to ensure that decision-making processes remain free from undue influence and conflicts of interest. Civil society organizations and public health advocates play a vital role in holding governments and policymakers accountable and must continue to push for evidence-based tobacco control policies that prioritize the well-being of children and future generations.

On this World No Tobacco Day 2024, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting children from the predatory practices of the tobacco industry. By working together to enact and enforce robust tobacco control measures, we can create environments that empower young people to make informed choices about their health and well-being. It is time to stand up to Big Tobacco and safeguard the future of our children from the grip of addiction and disease.

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A United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of the World Population Report 2022 stated that about 67% of abortions in India are unsafe.

The study also reveals that eight women die each day due to unsafe abortions, which were the third most common cause of maternal mortality in the South Asian nation.

Titled “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy,” the report said that one in every seven unintended pregnancies in the world occurs in India.

According to the report, 121 million unintended pregnancies occur every year globally, an average of 331,000 a day. One in seven unintended pregnancies in the world take place in India. The unintended pregnancies, and subsequent abortions, are intimately linked with the overall development of the country. As education and income levels increase, it results in a lowering of unintended pregnancies, says the report.

An abortion is considered safe if it is done using a method recommended by the WHO. The UNFPA report noted that the amendment to the MTP Act in 2021 appeared encouraging, but added that a lot more needed to be done to prevent unsafe abortions and maternal mortality.

Major causes of unsafe abortion:

• Lack of privacy with doctors.
• Girls are still the unwanted daughters in many parts of India.
• Unwanted pregnancies.
• Lack of sexual education in school.
• Restrictive abortion laws.

Lack of Privacy with service providers:

Abortion is legal in India and a woman does not require the approval of her husband, partner or family if she is an adult of “sound mind” and wishes to get an abortion. Healthcare providers often ask women to get the permission of their husband, or family members, even though it is not required by law. Often, the privacy and confidentiality of the woman is not protected.

Geographical access:

Another issue which many women face is that of geographical access. About 66% of India’s population lives in rural parts of the country, where there is a severe shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists, according to the Indian health ministry’s 2019-20 Rural Health Statistics Report. As a result, many abortions are often performed by midwives, auxiliary nurses, or birth attendants and are, therefore, considered unsafe.

The 2015-16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) showed that only 20% of abortions took place in public healthcare facilities. Private clinics and hospitals, which are concentrated in urban India, were responsible for 52% of abortions. Most of them comes to the private health centers after purchasing illegal at-home abortion kits or getting surgical abortions from fraudulent doctors. “There are many complications and risks with such patients.

Lack of sexual education:

It leads to unwanted pregnancy and because of the stiff abortion laws of the country, people like to approach the unsafe institutions and that often leads to maternal death.

If comprehensive sexuality education is not offered in her school, she may lack accurate information. Pregnancy may be her default option because she has few opportunities and choices in her life. Without a chance to finish her education, for instance, she may not see a reason to postpone childbearing.

restrictive abortion laws:

According to Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code, “causing a miscarriage” is considered to be an offense, so the MTP act was then introduced to protect doctors who provide abortions. “The MTP bill only protects the doctor from criminalization of abortion services”.

“The act, which comes from a legal standpoint, needs to be more women-centric. It needs to recognize abortion as a genuine reproductive need, and not punish women”.

Touching India Foundation is on it’s way to protect the women need support in education and assistance. You can be associated with us at our Website or the WhatsApp group.