November 20, 2001

'27'

    In order to create awareness on the need of protecting land and water resources the National Land Resources Conservation Week is being celebrated from tomorrow throughout the country. This year’s theme is "Our Land – Our Future" and the slogan to spread the message for conservation of precious Natural Resources Management is "Khet Ki Mitti Khet Mein, Khet Ka Pani Khet Mein".

    During the week, the Union Ministry of Agriculture has planned a number of programmes including a two-day National Seminar on Watershed Development which will witness farmers from States and Union Territories sharing their experiences on watershed management. For creating awareness among the farmers about land conservation, the Ministry has organised a quiz which was telecast over Doordarshan. Besides, to make children aware, a run for school children is being organised at the National Stadium in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India which will be flagged off by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav. Ace shooter, Jaspal Rana will be the chief quest on the occasion. Folk media is also being used to convey the message of land conservation. A Kathak dance is being organised at Kadambari theatre, Crafts Museum, New Delhi. Besides, puppet shows and street plays will also be organised during this week in front of the Agriculture Pavilion of India International Trade Fare. State Land Use Boards of the States and Union Territories have been requested to organise awareness programmes during the week.

    Excessive biotic interferences have caused considerable degradation of natural resources such as land, water and biomass, which has ultimately resulted in the problem of food security in the country. The land resources of the country have remained unchanged whereas population has increased after independence from 36 crore in 1951 to about 103 crore in 2001. Due to increase in population per capita availability of land has decreased from 0.9 hectre in 1951 to 0.3 hectre in the year 2000. More than 50% of the geographical area of the country is suffering from various types of land degradation including water and wind erosion, water logging, salinity, ravines, coastal erosion and shifting cultivation etc.