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Observer
3 days ago
- General
- Observer
Oman marks World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
The Sultanate of Oman has called for intensified afforestation and land restoration efforts as the world observes World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17, reinforcing its commitment to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. Speaking to the Observer, Masoud Sulaiman Abood al Azri, DG of Marketing for Agriculture and Fisheries and spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR), emphasised that desertification is a critical environmental challenge facing nations worldwide. With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for nutritious food and clean water is increasing rapidly, making land restoration an urgent priority rather than an option. 'In Oman, we have devised multiple strategies to combat desertification through various projects and initiatives,' the official said. 'These include reforestation, rangeland restoration, awareness campaigns and active collaboration between public and private sectors.' He noted that Oman has integrated desertification control into its national strategy, with a focus on environmental protection, sustainable land use and natural resource management. Among the major initiatives undertaken by Oman are: Tree planting in arid regions such as Al Rumayl and Hayal to increase vegetation cover; Rangeland restoration projects in Dhofar targeting issues such as soil erosion, biodiversity loss and vegetation decline; Community awareness campaigns promoting sustainable agriculture; and Support for water-efficient crops and eco-friendly farming technologies. 'These efforts are essential in promoting food security, conserving biodiversity and building climate resilience,' Al Azri said. Globally, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025 is being led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This year's official observance is taking place in Bogotá, Colombia, where policymakers, civil society organisations and indigenous representatives are gathering to advocate for land restoration as a cornerstone of sustainable development and lasting peace. Held under the theme 'Restore the Land; Unlock the Opportunities', the event highlights the economic, social and environmental benefits of restoring degraded lands for both people and the planet. A UNCCD statement said: 'Every $1 used to restore land yields a return of $7 to $30 through enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods, making for an investment case that the world cannot afford to overlook.' The organisation estimates that to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, the world must invest approximately $1 billion per day. In alignment with this vision, Oman's afforestation and restoration efforts demonstrate how local initiatives can contribute meaningfully to global goals — ensuring food security, preserving ecosystems and fostering sustainable economic growth for future generations.
Observer
3 days ago
- General
- Observer
Oman calls for afforestation on World Desertification and Drought Day
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has called for afforestation on the day the world is celebrating the Desertification and Drought Day on June 17 towards a sustainable environment. Desertification is a significant environmental challenge for all countries of the world in view of the growing demand for nutritious food and clean water as the world's population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. Speaking to the Observer , Masoud Sulaiman Abood al Azri, DG of Marketing for Agriculture and Fisheries and spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR) said that this increasing demand for food and clean water means that restoring degraded land is no longer optional but of top priority for human existence. 'In Oman, we have devised manifold steps to combat desertification through various projects and initiatives, including reforestation efforts, rangeland restoration, and awareness campaigns with multiple agency collaboration and public and private participation,'he said. Oman has incorporated desertification control into its national strategy, focusing on environmental protection, natural resource management, and sustainable land use. Some of the steps taken by Oman are reforestation, range-land restoration, community awareness, sustainable agriculture, and fog harvesting. 'The Omani government is planting trees in arid places like Al Rumayl and Hayal, to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification, we have rangeland restoration projects in Dhofar are aimed at addressing soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and declining vegetation cover, besides carrying out extensive community awareness campaigns towards sustainable agriculture,'he said adding that Oman is promoting sustainable farming practices, encouraging the use of water-efficient crops, and supporting farmers with environmentally friendly technologies, as well as using fog harvesting techniques in Dhofar to mitigate desertification and provide water for irrigation. The Desertification and Drought Day 2025 is led by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) with leaders calling for global land restoration as basis of peace on on 17 June in Bogotá, Columbia, where civil society organisations, and indigenous representatives will convene and advocate for global land restoration as a foundation of food security, sustainable development, and lasting peace. Convened under the theme 'Restore the Land; Unlock the Opportunities will spotlight the undeniable economic, social, and environmental benefits of land restoration for people and the planet. In a statement, the UNCD said, 'Every US$1 used to restore land yields a return of US$7 to US$30 through enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods, making for an investment case that the world cannot afford to overlook. Nations need to invest US$1 billion per day by 2030 to bring some 1.5 billion hectares of land back to health in support of human security and dignity, according to UNCCD.'
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Can Ambitious Green Wall Project Save The Aravallis? What Expert Said
New Delhi: The Aravalli range, made up of India's oldest fold mountains, is bleeding. Stretching 692 km from Delhi to Gujarat, this range stands as a vital shield, holding back the Thar Desert, guiding monsoon winds, and cradling over 300 plant and 120 bird species in its vibrant ecosystem. But relentless deforestation, illegal mining, and creeping desertification are ripping apart its ecological core, threatening rivers, biodiversity, and millions of livelihoods. Tomorrow, on World Environment Day 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will plant the first saplings of the Aravalli Green Wall Project in Delhi's Ridge, launching a 1,400 km-long green belt to heal this ancient guardian. NDTV spoke to Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), to explore whether this ambitious vision can triumph over the Aravallis' mounting crises. The Aravallis' Wounds The range's green cloak is tattered. Forest cover fell 0.9% from 1999-2019, with the central range losing a staggering 32% since 1975 to urban sprawl and mining. Illegal mining has obliterated 25% of Rajasthan's Aravalli hills since 1967-68, despite Supreme Court bans in 2002 and 2009. Of 4,150 mining leases for copper, zinc, and marble, only 288 have environmental clearance. Desertification also looms: 8.2% of Haryana's land turned arid by 2018-19, and 8% of the Aravallis-5,772.7 sq km-was lost by 2019, with 22% more at risk by 2059. These assaults have dried rivers like the Sahibi and Luni, eroded soils, depleted groundwater, and slashed biodiversity, undermining the region's climate resilience. A Green Wall of Hope The Aravalli Green Wall Project, launching June 5, 2025, aims to weave a 1,400 km-long, 5 km-wide green belt, inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall. Starting with 24,990 hectares in Haryana's Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Rewari, and Mahendergarh, it will plant native species, revive 75 water bodies, and bolster soil conservation, targeting 1.1 million hectares by 2027. "The Aravalli Green Wall Project is a very critical step forward. Since our childhood, we have seen massive degradation of the Aravallis. This project will restore confidence that we can protect, conserve, and expand this essential resource." Aligned with India's UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification), CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), and UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) commitments, it promises to curb desertification, boost biodiversity, and create jobs while cooling the region and filtering dust that fuels Delhi-NCR's air pollution crisis," said Ms Roychowdhury. "The wall will act as a wind and dust barrier," Ms Roychowdhury explained, "consistent with global best practices for green walls, addressing the intersection of clean air challenges and climate change," she added. Eco-Tourism: Opportunity or Threat? The project's eco-tourism push-safaris, nature parks, and trekking routes-aims to fund restoration and engage local communities. But could increased human activity harm this fragile ecosystem? "The Aravallis are a fragile ecosystem," Ms Roychowdhury warned. "Tourism can't take over or disrupt the local ecological balance. We have to be respectful and sensitive to the communities and species that depend on this region." She stressed that unregulated tourism risks habitat disruption, pollution, and wildlife displacement. To counter this, CSE recommends robust safeguards: "We advocate for strict regulatory frameworks-limiting visitor numbers, enforcing waste management protocols, and ensuring low-impact, non-invasive infrastructure. Species introduced for reforestation must be native to avoid ecological imbalances," she said. On the risk of over-commercialisation, Ms Roychowdhury is clear: "The Aravallis are a buffer between Delhi, Haryana, and expanding urban areas. Unregulated development, like stone quarrying or encroachments, must stop for the green wall to succeed. Community involvement is essential, but it must prioritise ecological restoration over commercial interests." She emphasises enforcement and scale: "The clean air agenda cannot succeed on a small scale. We need speed of implementation, but it must integrate local needs without allowing tourism to dominate. Conservation must always come first," she said. As PM Modi plants saplings tomorrow, the Aravalli Green Wall signals a fierce resolve to heal this ancient range. But, as Ms Roychowdhury underscored, "The green wall will work only if we stop urban pressures. It's a matter of enforcement and implementation."
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Grammy winner Ricky Kej receives Padma Shri, calls it "Validation For My Entire Career"
Grammy-winning music composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej was honored with a Padma Shri award in 2025 by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, for his significant contributions to the arts. Kej, a three-time Grammy Award winner and four-time nominee, expressed profound gratitude for the prestigious recognition from his home country. Padma Shri: A career long validation On receiving the Padma Shri, Ricky Kej articulated the unique significance of this award compared to his previous accolades. "I have won three Grammy Awards in the past and all the awards that I have won besides the Grammy have always been for a specific project. But to win the Padma Shri is like a validation for my entire career and whatever I have done so far. It feels really special to be awarded by my own country. There are no words to describe how special it feels…," he stated. Kej further highlighted that his music is not mainstream, emphasizing that he creates "music from the heart, and only when I feel like making." He appreciated that the Padma Awards are becoming "the people's Padma," focusing on grassroots impact and heartfelt artistry rather than just popularity or viral views. Global Recognition and Environmental Advocacy. Beyond his musical achievements, Ricky Kej has a strong international presence, having performed in over 35 countries, including at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva. In October 2023, he was appointed as a UN "Goodwill Ambassador" (UNCCD) at the United Nations General Assembly by then-President, Csaba Körösi, underscoring his commitment to environmental advocacy. Overview of the 2025 Padma Awards The Padma Awards are among India's highest civilian honors, recognizing individuals for their outstanding work in various fields. In 2025, a total of 139 individuals were selected for the awards, including one pair who shared an award. The recipients included 7 Padma Vibhushan awardees, 19 Padma Bhushan recipients, and 113 individuals honored with the Padma Shri. Notably, thirteen of these awards were conferred posthumously. Among the posthumous Padma Vibhushan recipients were, M.T. Vasudevan Nair, the renowned Malayalam writer, who passed away at 91 on December 25, 2024, was recognized for his immense contributions to literature and education. His novel Naalukettu is considered a classic in Malayalam literature. Sharda Sinha, legendary folk singer from Bihar, celebrated for her Chhath festival songs, was also honored with the Padma Vibhushan. She passed away at 72 on November 5, 2024. Pankaj Udhas, the esteemed ghazal and playback singer, who died on February 26, 2024, at the age of 72, received the Padma Vibhushan for his indelible contributions to music. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Egypt Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Minister of Environment appointed as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
CAIRO – 23 May 2025: The UN Secretary-General announces the appointment of Egyptian Minister of Environment Dr. Yasmine Fouad as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). She succeeds Ibrahim Thiaw of Mauritania in this prominent international role. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs welcomed the announcement, made on 22 May 2025, praising Dr. Fouad's appointment as a testament to Egypt's growing leadership in environmental diplomacy and sustainable development. 'This appointment to a high-level international position reflects Egypt's pivotal role—under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi—in promoting global environmental governance and sustainable development,' the Ministry said in an official statement. The statement emphasized Egypt's prominent role during its presidency of the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27), which served as a model of responsible leadership that prioritizes balancing economic growth with environmental protection to ensure a sustainable future. It also underscored the strengthening of Africa's voice on the global stage, particularly in areas such as climate change adaptation, water security, and energy—issues that were central to Egypt's environmental agenda. Dr. Fouad's appointment is seen as a strong reflection of both her qualifications and Egypt's steadfast commitment to the objectives of the UNCCD. Her extensive experience in addressing environmental challenges and advancing international sustainability efforts positions her well to lead the Convention at a time when global environmental crises are intensifying. The Ministry extended its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Fouad, expressing confidence in her ability to succeed in her new responsibilities and to further the global fight against desertification and land degradation.
