The 18th Amendment Implementation Commission seems hesitant to oblige environmentalists` proposal to transform the Ministry of Environment into Sustainable Development and Renewable Resource Management Division, Dawn has learnt.

The studies of UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) indicated that, over the preceding 20 years, the problem of land degradation had continued to worsen due to human activities and climate change such as prolonged or frequent droughts aggravating land degradation.

In the last two decades, interest in financing sustainable forest management has been gathering momentum. However, most of the approaches have yet to be mainstreamed, and remain either as ideas or experimental in the Asia-Pacific region. On the other hand, some countries, particularly those in Latin America, have seen more innovative ideas already being implemented.

The problem of desertification sits at the interface of environmental and developmental concerns. In this article, we examine the institutional relationship between desertification science and policy through focus on the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and its subsidiary body, the Committee on Science and Technology.

Desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) in addition to the loss of biodiversity in ecosystems, the disappearance of animals and plants from many habitats, the climate change resulting in melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and increase of extreme events have negative impact on the availability, quantity and quality of water resources resulting in changed conditions for humanity

The Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has invited comments on a draft Water Policy Advocacy Framework, which seeks to provide a framework for the Secretariat to advocate for the development of water resource management policies at country level.

The 2009 World Day to Combat Desertification focuses on the theme: Conserving land and water = Securing our common future.

Sustainable development depends on intact ecosystems and their services. This is why environmental protection in the context of sustainable development is a key concern in development cooperation.

This study, conducted with the appreciated and committed participation of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Mr Jean Ziegler, illustrates, in the context of the 16th and 17th
session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, how human rights can and must be mainstreamed in sustainable development issues. It contains a reflection offered

Forests cover approximately 30% of the Earth

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