Combating Desertification: Evaluation of Progress

Abstract

Despite all that has been accomplished with an uncoordinated global programme, the exaggerated expectations following UNCOD have not come close to being realized. Land degradation continues widely, even though in places dunes are being stabilized, trees planted, and there is some success in reducing salinization of irrigated land. Too little effort is directed towards field control of desertification. All of the indirect contributions to desertification control (education, research, training, increasing awareness, assessments, etc.) will, presumably, assist in combating desertification in the field at some time in the future. It appears certain, however, that there will be no dramatic improvement by the year 2000 unless there is far more focusing of efforts on field projects than at present. Here the activities of NGOs and some governmental agencies are to be appauded but should also be multiplied and strengthened—wherever possible with community involvement and adequate incentives.