World Desert and Drought Prevention Day (17 June) History, Significance, Theme and Observation

World Desert and Drought Prevention Day Quick Facts

World Desert and Drought Prevention Day Brief

Every year on 17 June, World Desertification Prevention Day (WDCD) is celebrated in different countries of the world.

World Desert and Drought Prevention Day History

Since 1995, World Day for Prevention of Desertification (WDCD) is being celebrated in different countries of the world every year. It aims to promote public awareness to combat the effects of barren and drought with international cooperation.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/IS/49/115, adopted the United Nations Convention on the Prevention of Desertification in Africa, to promote public awareness of the issue of desertification and drought, and to countries affected by drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa. Declared World Desertification Prevention and Drought Day for implementation.

More info about World Desert and Drought Prevention Day

What is called a Desert

A Desert is a barren, arid area, where vegetation is negligible, only those plants can grow here, which have the amazing ability to store water or get water from very deep below the earth.

The plants growing here develop their roots far below the ground, due to which they easily absorb the moisture below. The thin sheet of soil, which keeps on turning with the rapid velocity of the wind and which is often lacking in compost and soil, is not fertile.

In these areas, the water evaporated from the process of evaporation exceeds the total water received from the rain, and here the rainfall is very less and infrequently.

In places other than Antarctica, the duration of drought can be a year or more. Extremely dry and hot conditions in this region are not suitable for any cultivation.

Kinds of Deserts:

On the basis of different types of Topography, deserts are of the following types:

• Subtropical Deserts
• Coastal Deserts
• Rain Shadow Deserts
• Interior Deserts
• Polar Deserts

United Nations Convention on the Prevention of Desertification

The United Nations Convention on the Prevention of Desertification is one of three Rio Conventions within the United Nations. The other two agreements are as follows-

• 1. Agreement on Biodiversity.
• 2. United Nations Framework Agreement on Climate Change.

UNCCD is the only international agreement that is legally binding on environmental and development issues. The day was started 25 years ago with the aim of raising public awareness about international efforts to tackle the challenge of desertification. Since then, 'World Day for Desertification and Drought Prevention' is observed on 17 June every year.

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