Northwestern India's Land and Water Woes

Vital Food Supply Under Threat

The Trans-Gangetic Plains (TGP) in northwestern India are crucial for the country's food supply, producing significant amounts of wheat and rice. However, this region is facing severe challenges:

• Land degradation
• Increasing droughts

These issues are often studied separately, but a recent study has examined them together.

Alarming Findings

Rapid Urbanization

• 214% increase in land covered by buildings and roads from 2001 to 2022.
• Grasslands, wetlands, and farmland have been overtaken by urban development.

Environmental Impact

• Reduction in biodiversity
• Decreased soil water retention
• Lower carbon storage capacity

Soil Organic Carbon Loss

• 2.93% of the area has lost soil organic carbon, which is detrimental to the environment.

Droughts and Their Causes

Despite stable food production, droughts have been a major issue:

• Years with severe droughts: 2002, 2009, 2014
• Over 75% of the area experienced moderate to severe droughts in these years.

Causes of Droughts

• El Niño weather patterns
• Over-extraction of groundwater

High-Risk Areas

The western and central parts of the TGP are particularly vulnerable.

Solutions and Recommendations

To address these problems, experts suggest:

• Improved soil and water conservation techniques
• Adoption of climate-smart farming practices
• Increased tree planting to enhance resilience and sustainability.

The Power of Satellite Data

This study highlights the importance of satellite data in monitoring large land areas. It also underscores the urgent need for environmental protection and resilience-building measures.