Over one-fourth of India’s geographical area is undergoing the process of desertification despite ongoing efforts to combat the problem.

In a report, submitted to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Environment Ministry said, the problem of land degradation and drought continues in India which has a total geographic area of 328 million hectares.

It said, Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought has hit about 8 lakh sq km of the territory covering almost all states and union territories of the country.

According to the Environment Ministry, the total area undergoing the process of land degradation is estimated at 105.48 million hectares, which constitutes 32.07 per cent of India’s total land area.

The report says, major challenges remain in the area of land use planning, management of waste and degraded land and efficient use of water resources.

It said, India has taken several steps including Integrated Watershed Management Programme, National Rural Drinking Water Programme, MNREGA, National Rural Livelihood Mission and Green India Mission to address the problem.