Saudi minister applauds India’s efforts in fighting land degradation ahead of UN COP16
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As Riyadh prepares to host the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Dr. Osama Faqeeha, has praised India's innovative approaches to combating land degradation and drought.
In an email interview, Dr. Faqeeha, who also serves as an advisor to the COP16 Presidency, highlighted success stories from India, particularly from Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
He referred to the transformation of Rajasthan's Lapodia village, where the revival of traditional water harvesting systems has rejuvenated water tables and regenerated degraded grasslands. This effort has inspired over 50 neighboring villages to adopt similar methods. “Lapodia now resembles a green oasis in the arid landscapes of Rajasthan, demonstrating the power of traditional practices in drought-proofing communities,” he said.
The village, located just two hours from Jaipur, has become a model for sustainable land management, supported by local participation.
Dr. Faqeeha also cited the transformation at Renuka Bio Farms in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district. “By integrating traditional wisdom with modern agricultural techniques, barren wetlands have been converted into thriving agro-ecological systems,” he explained, adding that these examples showcase the global potential of community-driven solutions to environmental challenges.
The Saudi minister emphasized the shared challenges faced by Saudi Arabia and India’s desert regions, particularly Rajasthan, and the opportunities for knowledge exchange. “The arid climate of Saudi Arabia presents hurdles similar to those in Rajasthan. Our focus includes renewable water resource utilization, water conservation practices, and ambitious rural development initiatives,” Dr. Faqeeha said.
He pointed to the Ghandivan project in Jaipur as another inspiring example. The initiative has turned barren wasteland into a vibrant ecosystem through community engagement, offering lessons that can be adapted globally.
Dr. Faqeeha underscored the urgent need for collective action against land degradation. “Every second, we lose land equivalent to four football fields, amounting to 100 million hectares annually. COP16 in Riyadh is a crucial moment to address this crisis,” he noted.
The event, scheduled from December 2 to 13, 2024, aims to unite stakeholders across sectors to foster innovative, community-driven solutions. By sharing successful initiatives like those in India, Riyadh will serve as a platform for replicable practices that benefit countries and regions worldwide.
The primary goals for COP16 include raising awareness of the global impact of land degradation, drought, and desertification, and catalyzing a new era of environmental action characterized by concrete commitments and collaboration.
“Through knowledge-sharing and innovation, we hope to inspire meaningful global efforts to combat these pressing environmental challenges,” Dr. Faqeeha concluded.