According to researchers at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Indian Cheetah, pink-headed duck, and the Great Indian Bustard have become extinct due to desertification. 

Kailash Chandra, Director of the Zoological Survey of India, told ANI,

We have a database of more than 5.6 million specimens, collected from all over India and also from the neighbouring countries before independence. They give a lot of information about how things have changed in more than 100 years. If you see their distribution in geo-special platforms, you’ll realise how much changes have occurred because of the impact of deforestation and desertification. 

He also mentioned how animal species in India are quickly reaching the point of extinction and how most of them will now fall in the critically endagered category. He called it a ‘matter of great concern’.

Desertification is caused due to pesticides, insecticides, industries which give out chemicals and indiscriminate development. He believes that everything needs to be regulated so that the impact is minimised and the process can be reversed.

Desertifiction does not just affect animals but the whole food chain from micro organisms to human beings. 

More than 30% of India’s land is degrading due to deforestation, over-cultivation, soil erosion and depletion of wetlands.

It was also revealed at the forum that not only India but the whole world is facing soil aridity problems.