India on Tuesday said that healthy land is key to regional stability and invited countries to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' plantation campaign to address land degradation and climate change.
Delivering India's statement at the 16th UN Conference on Desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said the country promotes eco-friendly lifestyles and the use of traditional knowledge in daily life.
"Healthy land is key to regional stability", helping create stable communities and strong economies by reducing factors that force migration, he said.
Yadav said India has adopted a comprehensive approach to address land degradation, enhance drought resilience, restore ecosystems, and promote biodiversity, aligning with the goals of COP16.
"Our honourable Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has launched a mass campaign, 'Plant for Mother', under which we have planted more than one billion saplings this year. We urge all countries an