GS3 🌿 Environment & Ecology

Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)

/lænd ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən njuːˈtræləti/

A state in which the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales -- achieved through the "Avoid-Reduce-Reverse" framework: avoiding new degradation, reducing ongoing degradation, and reversing past degradation through rehabilitation and restoration.

Context & Background

LDN is central to SDG Target 15.3 ("achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030"); India committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 at UNCCD COP-14 (New Delhi, 2019); progress is monitored through three sub-indicators: land cover change, land productivity dynamics, and soil organic carbon stocks.

UPSC Exam Relevance

GS3 (Environment). Prelims: SDG 15.3, India's target (26 Mha by 2030), UNCCD COP-14 (New Delhi, 2019). Mains: discuss India's progress towards LDN targets; analyse the adequacy of current policies (watershed management, afforestation, soil health programmes) in achieving land degradation neutrality.