Jodhpur, June 18 -- Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday underscored the urgent need for community-led ecological restoration to tackle the twin challenges of desertification and drought while warning that reckless exploitation of natural resources, unsustainable farming practices, and unchecked use of fertilizers and pesticides have severely degraded land quality across India. "Nature has given us everything, but many man-made actions are disrupting that balance. Healthy land is not just an environmental concern; it's vital for regional stability, food security, and our collective future," Yadav said while addressing the inaugural session of a national workshop on "Strategies for Combating Desertification and Drought" held at the Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) in Jodhpur to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025. Organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the event was attended by environmental experts, policymakers, scientists and development partners to chart actionable strategies for sustainable land management, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Referring to India's commitment to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Yadav stressed that India is pursuing a science-based, integrated approach that blends ecosystem restoration, drought resilience, and biodiversity conservation. He highlighted major ongoing initiatives including the development of Amrit Sarovars, promotion of Matri Vans, and the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, where citizens are encouraged to plant trees in the name of their mothers to honour both maternal values and Mother Earth. "There is an urgent need for community-led ecological restoration to tackle the twin challenges of desertification and drought as reckless exploitation of natural resources, unsustainable farming practices, and unchecked use of fertilizers and pesticides have severely degraded land quality across India," he said. The minister gave special emphasis to the ecological and cultural importance of the Aravalli mountain range, describing it as a natural shield against desertification and a cradle of India's ancient civilisation. Spanning 700 kilometres across 29 districts, the Aravallis, he said, must be restored and protected through community participation and inter-state collaboration. He expressed confidence that by 2047, India will achieve its green economy goals by aligning development with environmental responsibility. During the event, Union minister for culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Jodhpur has long been a land of plant conservation, where people have laid down their lives to protect trees. He lauded India's success in increasing forest cover even as global forest resources continue to shrink. "The Aravallis play a vital role in water conservation, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity protection. They act as a natural barrier halting the expansion of the Thar Desert and shielding parts of Eastern Rajasthan, Haryana, and even Delhi," he said. He urged citizens to recognise their responsibility in preserving this ecological treasure. Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot also participated in the event, praising the role of AFRI and other institutions in research and environmental outreach....