AS IT is now the dry season, all environments in Myanmar are pleasant and beautiful due to the lack of rain and wet conditions. As a result, people can travel anywhere without worrying about muddy or dirty paths. This makes it the best time for travellers in both the inbound and outbound tourism industries.
Although this may be an ideal time for travel, the world must prioritize preventing excessive dryness and combating desertification. According to research released by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on 9 December 2024, more than 77 per cent of the world has permanently dried compared to 30 years ago.
The survey reported that the land area affected by desertification expanded by 4.3 million square kilometres, approximately one-third of India’s size. Additionally, 40 per cent of the world’s land area, excluding Antarctica, has become arid and unsuitable for agriculture. This drying of lands has led to a decline in crop yields. According to the UNCCD, desertification could cause a loss of 16 per cent of GDP in Africa and seven per cent in Asia within the next half-decade.
Desertification results from unsustainable human activities in the natural environment. Excessive timber extraction, agricultural expansion, mining, dam and reservoir construction, and urbanization have led to deforestation and soil degradation in tropical forests, ultimately causing desertification.
The UNCCD identifies the characteristics of desertification as including irregular rainfall patterns, reduced frequency of rainfall, water scarcity, extreme heat and drought, prolonged exposure to rising atmospheric and soil temperatures, excessive fluctuations in temperature, high rates of soil evaporation, low humidity levels, soil dryness, degradation of soil quality, and increased erosion of topsoil due to wind and water.
The world is an invaluable gift of nature to society. Currently, around 1.6 billion people globally rely on forests for their livelihoods, as forests are home to more than 80 per cent of all living species, including humans. Additionally, approximately 2.6 billion people depend on agriculture for their sustenance. Therefore, the expansion of desertification poses significant challenges to food security and the survival of all living beings.
It is essential for all living beings including global people to emphasize the perpetual existence of the world where they reside. Otherwise, they will face catastrophes based on utter devastation in the future. Control of desertification depends on the policies of relevant governments. As such, these governments need to emphasize the implementation of projects to grow trees, control farmlands and rehabilitate societies to prevent desertification.
