Land desertification big challenge, youth must come join this cause: Javadekar

Desertification of land is a big challenge, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday while urging youths to come forward and participate in the movement to prevent it.

In an audio-visual message posted on Twitter ahead of the upcoming COP-14 on Desertification of Land, he said a pledge must be taken to make the country beautiful, attractive and clean.

"Fertile land becomes deserted due to a lot of reasons like soil erosion, wind erosion, deforestation, excessive watering of plants and grazing. Desertification of land is a big challenge in front of us and we must pledge to stop it. All countries must come together to prevent it," he said.

Javadekar said he had full faith that the young generation, which has the awareness and enthusiasm towards environment, will participate in the movement to stop desertification.

"I request the countries, coming to India for conference for 12-13 days to prevent desertification of land and how to make it more fertile, to discuss this issue. I am sure we will succeed in this fight," he said in his message.

India will host COP-14 of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from September 2-13 in Noida with more than 190 countries likely to participate in the conference and discuss issues related to the environment and development of sustainable land management.