UPSC Prelims 2016 Question:

What is/are the importance/ importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’?

1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships 
2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portions of financial resources to these regions. 
3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was established in 1994 to protect and restore our land. The UNCCD is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.

• This Convention aims to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term innovative strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements. National Action Programmes (NAP) are one of the key instruments in the implementation of the Convention. They are strengthened by Action Programmes on Sub-regional (SRAP) and Regional (RAP) level. Hence, this convention is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people. So, statement 1 and statement 3 are correct.
  
  
• Irrespective of the country/region, the Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Environmental Organisations and Conventions