Question-Consider the following statements-
(1) “Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction: Special Report on Drought 2021” was published by UNDRR
(2) As per the report, Drought is a hidden global crisis which can become “the next pandemic”
(3) About 1.5 billion people are directly affected by drought this century.
Select the correct answer using the code given below-
(a) Only 1 and 3
(b) Only 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d)
Related facts-
- The report titled “Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction: Special Report on Drought 2021” was published on June 18, 2021 by UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction).
- It will be a part of discussions at vital UN climate talks called Cop26, scheduled to take place in Glasgow in November 2021.
- Drought is a hidden global crisis that risks becoming “the next pandemic” if countries do not take urgent action on water and land management and tackling the climate emergency, as per the report.
- At least 1.5 billion people have been directly affected by drought this century, and the economic cost over roughly that time has been estimated at $124bn (£89bn).
- The report estimated the “impact of severe droughts on India’s GDP to be about 2-5% per annum despite decreasing contribution of agriculture in the country’s expanding economy.
- The Deccan region sees the highest frequency (of more than 6%) of severe droughts in all of India.
- Reason of Drought-Changing rainfall patterns because of climate breakdown are key driver of drought. However, report identifies inefficient use of water resources, degradation of land under intensive agriculture and poor farming practices also plays crucial role.
- Deforestation, overuse of fertilizers & pesticides, overgrazing & over-extraction of water for farming are some other factors.
By- Yogesh Pratap Singh