AN EXPANSIVE LAND MANAGEMENT POLICY IS OVERDUE

Relevance: GS 3 – Land reforms in India

Why in the News?

  • Land plays a central role in human activities, offering ecological, economic, social, and cultural services. However, the multi-dimensional importance of land is frequently disregarded in land management practices.
  • This oversight contributes to increased pressure on land, leading to degradation and environmental decline.
  • There is an urgent need for a comprehensive land management policy.
  • Thus, establishing a multi-stakeholder platform at district and sub-district levels is crucial.

Economic Impact of Land Degradation:

  • Globally, annual losses of ecosystem services due to land degradation are estimated at $6 trillion.

International Efforts and Discussions

  • The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP14) in 2019 addressed the issue of land degradation and emphasized achieving land degradation neutrality.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on ‘Climate Change and Land’ (2019) advocated for country-level stocktaking of land management practices.
  • It recommended both near- and long-term actions focusing on land management options that minimize competition for land while maximizing co-benefits and preserving ecosystem services.

Urgency in Addressing Land Concerns:

  • The Food and Agriculture Organization’s report titled ‘State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture: The System at Breaking Point’ (2021) underscored the need for urgent action in caring for the long-term future of land, soil, and water.
  • It highlighted the neglected area of public policy and human welfare concerning the preservation of land resources.

India’s Land Management Challenges

India, with only 2.4% of the world’s geographical area but over 17% of the global population, faces numerous land management hurdles.

  • Approximately 55% of India’s total geographical area is arable land, while forests cover around 22%, leaving the remainder comprising desert, mountains, etc.
  • About 30% of India’s total geographical area is classified as degraded land.
  • Access to agricultural land remains a significant livelihood issue for a large portion of the population reliant on agriculture.
  • Development goals, population growth, infrastructure demands, rapid urbanization, and socio-cultural factors are exerting unprecedented pressure on land resources.
    • This pressure leads to heightened competition among farmers, inter-sectoral conflicts, escalating land prices, and evolving land rights issues.
    • Across the country, natural areas are diminishing, resulting in the loss of ecological functions and biodiversity.
  • The decline in natural ecosystems adversely affects livelihood opportunities and weakens their resilience against disasters like floods, droughts, temperature rise, and pollution.
  • Climate change introduces additional challenges, exacerbating existing land management issues.

Current Land Management Situation in India

  • Land management practices in India are currently sectoral, with each department following its own approach.
  • Land management falls under the jurisdiction of State governments.
  • Most land in India is privately owned, and land-use decisions are typically made by the owners.
  • Administrative complexity arises from this sectoral approach and decentralized decision-making.
    • Challenges include knowledge gaps, short-term planning biases, fragmented approaches, lack of preparedness for unforeseen events, and regulatory barriers.

Proposed Solutions for these challenges

  • Establishing a multi-stakeholder platform at district and sub-district levels is essential.
    • This platform would bring together farmers, land managers, policymakers, civil society organizations, business leaders, and investors.
  • Article 243ZD (1) of the Constitution allows for district planning committees to consolidate plans from panchayats and municipalities.
    • Activating these committees can facilitate the preparation of a comprehensive land management plan covering agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.
  • Adopting a Landscape Approach: A landscape approach would offer a holistic perspective to assess land potential and determine appropriate land uses.
    • This approach aids in evaluation, negotiation, trade-offs, and decision-making.
    • Implementing a climate-smart landscape approach would align with climate objectives, increase agricultural production, improve local livelihoods, and conserve biodiversity.
  • Integrated Landscape Management
    • Science emphasizes the significance of viewing land as a system and promoting integrated landscape management.
    • While there is practical experience supporting this approach, systematic institutional support is lacking.

International Recognition and Guidance

  • The European Landscape Convention underscores that landscape contributes to individual and social well-being.
  • The K. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology highlighted in Brief 42 (‘Sustainable land management: managing land better for environmental benefits’) the critical role of land management in addressing climate change, ensuring food security, and combating the biodiversity crisis.
    • It cautioned against the inadequacy of existing government policies and targets in addressing the complexities of land management, farming, and environmental preservation.

Potential for Parliamentary Action in India

  • India’s parliamentarians could initiate discussions on the emerging challenges of integrated land management practices.
  • Their involvement can aid in devising appropriate policies for long-term sustainability, engaging all stakeholders across horizontal and vertical scales.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-expansive-land-management-policy-is-overdue/article67888083.ece

 Mains question

Discuss the significance of integrated landscape management in achieving sustainability. Examine international frameworks and suggest measures for effective implementation in India. (Word limit: 250)