Politics · India Bureau
Drought poses critical development challenge, India tells UN conference
India's Environment Minister has underscored drought as a defining threat to sustainable development, calling for advanced monitoring systems and proactive land management strategies at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification conference in Mongolia.
LSN India ·
Minister Bhupender Yadav stressed that drought represents one of the most pressing developmental challenges facing the region, particularly as climate variability intensifies across South and Southeast Asia. Speaking at the international conference, Yadav emphasised the urgent need for integrated approaches to address water scarcity and land degradation.
The minister advocated for deploying predictive technologies to forecast drought conditions with greater accuracy, enabling governments to anticipate and mitigate impacts before they destabilise agricultural systems and rural economies. He highlighted the critical importance of localised early-warning monitoring networks tailored to specific geographical and climatic contexts across different regions.
Yadav also stressed the necessity of proactive land management policies that strengthen soil health, promote sustainable water use, and build resilience in drought-prone areas. Such measures, he argued, are essential for protecting livelihoods, food security, and economic stability across vulnerable communities.
The remarks reflect India's position that combating desertification and drought requires coordinated international action coupled with region-specific solutions that account for local environmental conditions and developmental priorities. The minister's intervention underscores New Delhi's commitment to positioning drought resilience as a central component of broader development agendas in South Asia.