June 17: WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT
Desertification occurs when previously fertile land becomes desert through deforestation, drought, or improper agriculture. These areas are often home to some of the most vulnerable people and ecosystems. Many expert reports have also highlighted the link between the current pandemic and ecological damage. Desertification, along with the pandemic, is a double whammy on the poorest of the poor in the world, which sets us decades back in achieving our Sustainable Development Goals.