By Bob Aston
Inclusive cooperation for
achieving Land degradation neutrality is the theme of this year’s World Day to
Combat Desertification. The national celebration in Kenya is at Pap Sori
Grounds, Karungu Township in Migori County on June 17, 2016.
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| Effects of climate change.PHOTO: Bonface Njenga |
The celebration will
address the importance of comprehensive participation and cooperation in
working towards achieving land degradation neutrality.
According to NEMA-Kenya,
Karungu Township in Migori County is semi-arid and has all the characteristics
of an emerging desert, with prolonged dry spells. In addition, deforestation
particularly in Nyatike and Got-Kachola forest has led to decreased water
supply to major rivers in the County.
Environmental degradation
in the County has resulted in severe climatic changes. This has affected the
agricultural sector directly and indirectly resulting into reduced crop
productivity and subsequent food deficits in Migori County.
The main activities
during the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) celebrations include tree
planting, a procession, exhibitions, media talk shows, and a visit to selected
rehabilitated areas in Migori County.
The culmination of the
event will be the various messages by dignitaries headed by the Cabinet
Secretary Prof. Judi Wakhungu of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources,
and Regional Development Authorities. Others will be Prof Geoffrey Wahungu, the
Director General of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA-Kenya) and
the representatives of United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and United Nations
Development Program (UNDP).
Desertification is the
result of a cycle of land degradation, turning once fertile soils into sterile
land because of over-exploitation by intensive farming, forest exploitation for
fuel and timber, and overgrazing.
According to Ban Ki-Moon,
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, without a long-term solution,
desertification and land degradation will not only affect food supply but also
lead to increased migration and threaten the stability of many nations and
regions. This is why world leaders made land degradation neutrality one of the
targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
WDCD 2016 event advocates
for the importance of inclusive cooperation to restore and rehabilitate degraded
and contribute towards achieving the overall SDGs.
In order to ‘leave no one behind’ as
proclaimed in the new Sustainable Development Goals, achieving land degradation
neutrality needs to be in the forefront to meet our requirements and develop
sustainability.
In 1994, the UN General
Assembly declared June 17 the WDCD to promote public awareness of the issue,
and the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or
desertification, particularly in Africa.
The slogan: “Protect
Earth. Restore Land. Engage People” provides a strong reminder that
strengthening community participation and cooperation at all levels can play a significant
role in combating desertification. Join the efforts to deal with desertification
and land degradation by planting trees and involving yourself in environmental
conservation.
Follow the hashtag #WDC2016Ke on
Twitter and Facebook to stay informed on the activities of the World Day to
Combat Desertification.
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