World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Protect the land

One-third of the Earth's surface is covered by deserts, and there are more and more drylands turning into deserts because of deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation practices. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought falls on June 17 every year, reminding us of the importance of protecting the land under our feet.

This year's theme is "Food, Feed, Fiber." As the world's population keeps growing, the demand for more land to provide food, animal feed and fiber for clothing is increasing as well. We need to lead a sustainable lifestyle in order to prevent drylands from turning into deserts.

Mingsha Mountain in northwest China's Gansu Province. /VCG

Kumtag Desert in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /VCG

Shapotpu District in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. /VCG

Sand Lake in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. /VCG

Qianquan Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /VCG

Kubuqi Desert in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. /VCG

Kanglake Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /VCG

(All images via VCG)

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