World Day to Combat Desertification

The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on 17th June when the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was adopted in 1994 in line with the resolution adopted in the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio in June 1992.

The Ministry of Environment & Forests organised an "On-the-spot" painting competition for children of different age groups with a view to sensitising them on issues relating to land degradation and desertification. There was a tremendous response and more than 600 children took part in the competition. Winners were given prizes and would be participating in a nature trip to the Thar Desert and in the Desert Festival.