Kathmandu, June 17: World Desertification Day is being observed across the world today.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Population and Environment, the day is being observed as per the United Nations Conventions to Combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa prepared in 1994.

The Convention aims at preventing desertification through partnerships by increasing international cooperation, restoring land and water resources, operating special programes at the community level and banishing poverty by increasing food productivity.

Nepal had signed the convention on Oct 12, 1995 and it was ratified at the House of Representatives in 2053 BS. The convention took effect on 26 Dec 1996 at the global level.

Clear signs of desertification have appeared in some 10 thousand hectares of land in the high hilly region and other areas also have started showing signs of desertification due to growing depletion of natural resources. Nepal’s 13 watershed areas are facing crisis at the moment.

An estimated 1.8 million tons of soil with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and calcium is wasted annually in Nepal, out of which some 300,000 is supplied with minerals and organic and chemical fertilizers and this has directly affected food productivity in the country.

Nepal is seeking to draw a plan of action within the current fiscal year to stop further desertification.