Bhupender Yadav Urges Stronger Drought Prevention And Resilience At UNCCD

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has called for a shift in the global approach to drought management, from reactive relief measures to proactive prevention and resilience. Addressing the Ministerial Dialogue on “Accelerating Drought Resilience” at the 17th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Ulaanbaatar, Yadav described drought as a major development challenge affecting water security, food systems, biodiversity and economic stability.

Yadav outlined India’s approach of combining early warning systems, mitigation measures, relief efforts and community participation to prepare for drought conditions. He said rainfall monitoring and satellite-based drought assessments help trigger preparedness measures at both inter-ministerial and state levels. Such systems are intended to allow authorities to respond to emerging dry spells before they develop into wider crises affecting communities and livelihoods.

Highlighting the connection between land and water security, Yadav emphasised the importance of restoring forests and strengthening catchment areas. He referred to India’s focus on catchment and riverscape forestry to reduce soil erosion, improve water retention and support groundwater recharge. River rejuvenation and the restoration of traditional water bodies are also being used to strengthen water availability and improve resilience in rural areas facing recurring water stress.

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The minister also highlighted community-led restoration initiatives, particularly in India’s hill regions, where springs and groundwater recharge zones are being revived. In the plains, he pointed to nationwide watershed programmes aimed at restoring degraded rainfed land through a ridge-to-valley approach. These efforts are supported by community institutions and convergence with rural employment programmes, allowing land and water conservation activities to also contribute to rural livelihoods.

At the household level, Yadav highlighted drinking water programmes designed to maintain reliable supplies during periods of water stress. He said such initiatives focus on assured service levels, local water-quality testing and prioritising vulnerable areas. He also pointed to crop insurance as an important protection mechanism for farmers facing drought and other losses that cannot be prevented, with subsidised premiums and technology-based assessments intended to support faster and more transparent claims.

Yadav called for drought resilience to be built through prevention measures such as watershed development, water harvesting, afforestation, groundwater recharge and climate-resilient crops. These measures, he said, should be complemented by disaster-response funds, employment guarantees, fodder support and emergency water supplies when necessary. His message at the UNCCD meeting was that drought management should focus on reducing vulnerability before a crisis develops rather than relying primarily on relief after its impact is felt.

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