Port Blair: Amid growing global concerns over land degradation, water scarcity and climate change, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has called upon islanders to become active custodians of the environment, stressing that the future of the islands’ rich natural heritage depends on collective action taken today. Marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17, the Department of Environment & Forests urged residents to adopt sustainable practices that protect land, water and forest resources, while reinforcing the need to preserve the fragile ecosystems that make the islands environmentally unique.
Observed worldwide every year, the occasion seeks to highlight the importance of combating land degradation, restoring ecosystems and promoting sustainable land-use practices. This year’s theme, “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”, underscores the vital role played by natural landscapes in supporting biodiversity, conserving water, sustaining livelihoods and strengthening resilience against climate change.
The Department cautioned that unchecked exploitation of natural resources can lead to soil erosion, declining vegetation, reduced water availability, biodiversity loss and greater vulnerability to climate-related disasters. While the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to enjoy extensive forest cover and diverse ecosystems, officials emphasized that safeguarding these natural assets is a shared responsibility.
As part of the observance, citizens were encouraged to conserve water, embrace rainwater harvesting, participate in afforestation drives, protect mangroves and wetlands, support soil conservation measures and practice responsible waste management. The Department also appealed to the public to report incidents of forest fires, illegal tree felling and encroachments that threaten the environment.
Residents were further advised to refrain from activities that contribute to ecological degradation, including open burning of waste, indiscriminate extraction of natural resources, dumping garbage in forests and water bodies, and destruction of wildlife habitats.
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Reiterating that even small individual actions can create a lasting impact, the Department called for a united effort to build a greener, healthier and more resilient future for the islands. “Healthy Land, Healthy Future – Let Us Recognize, Respect and Restore Our Natural Resources,” the Department urged.
