Arid politics

Each year the world loses $42.3 billion because of desertification. But when its leaders meet to discuss the fast-spreading problem, all they can …

Rio's Stepchild

The UN Convention to Combat Desertification is a non-starter. Administrative and financial matters get the better of any serious attempts to deal …

Guiding growth

When nothing seemed to stop the desertification of the Banni grasslands, a government institution stepped in and showed the people how they …

Environmental scapegoats

Are goats responsible for increasing desertification? No, say many environmentalists and researchers. In fact, this hardy animal …

Trees against deserts

Grow more trees around fields and along waterbodies to prevent desertification

Famine in the rainforest

The idea of a desert in the middle of the Western Ghats sounds unbelievable, but it may be on the cards

Preventing desertification

KAMPUCHEA

Precinct in the sand

A university of desert knowledge

Book Review: The Garden of their Dreams by Brian Griffith

Sands of controversy

Africa had several tense moments before it could get the desertification convention through

Desertification control lacks efficiency

PERHAPS no environmental problem affects the poor of the world as much as desertification. The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) says this has …

North deserts initiative on desertification

Africa's success at Rio summit in securing international support for a proposed desertification convention seems to be short-lived as Northern …

Keeping the desert at day

The extent of desertification of grazingland in North China has reached crisis proportions. Effective governmental policy is needed to maintain …

Promoting desertification

Changing perceptions

Experts say changes in the Earth's orbit may have led to the formation of the Sahara desert

Fund source

Identified to curb land blight

NGOs rush in where governments fear to tread

Nongovernmental organisations have criticised the cautious stand the desertification convention secretariat has taken in order to garner funds …

Taking stock

More than 150 nations gather to assess the damage from mounting ecological and social catastrophes

Food for thought

CHINA

Water from wind energy

Wind power is being used to extract water and regenerate forests in Mauritania

INDIA

UNITED NATIONS

Atmospheric warming is widening tropical region

May cause increase in desert areas