ABOUT the Committee for Research on Combatting Desertification / Land Degradation

ABOUT the Committee for Research on Combatting Desertification / Land Degradation
MEMBER LIST

In April 1997, the 'Committee for Research on Combatting Desertification / Land Degradation' was set up within the Global Environmental Forum, with the support of the Environment Agency of Japan. The objective of the Committee, as originally conceived, was to examine the major global environmental problem of desertification, and in particular, the measures being taken to prevent it in the Asian Region and to provide support for the Committee on Science and Technology (CST); this was to be combined with a consideration of the political implications for the Japanese government of acceptance of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

However, the Committee found it necessary to pose a couple of fundamental questions at the outset. The first of these questions was whether, considering the nature of land degradation, and the problems specific to Asia, it was appropriate to limit the scope of scientific enquiry to areas included in the conventional definition of the term - that is arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, although the Committee fully observes the definition. For example, salinization, which is regarded as one of the most characteristic consequences of land degradation, can be seen not only in hyper-arid lands like deserts but also in humid tropical rain forests. This means land degradation occurs outside 'deserts' areas. The point has particular relevance for the Asian Region. In Asia, there exist countries which are not designated as 'affected countries' by the definition of UNCCD but facing serious land degradation.

Therefore, the Committee, taking as its starting point the concept of land degradation as well as the official definition of desertification, decided to include certain areas which are not covered by the Convention. While fully respecting the agreed position of international society, the Committee thus sought a perspective upon the problem which combined scientific coherence and relevance to Asia's particular aspects. The name finally decided upon for the Committee was therefore the 'Committee for Research on Combatting Desertification / Land Degradation'.

The second preliminary question concerned the emphasis to be given to the development of activities conducted in Africa. Such an emphasis reflects the original focus of the UNCCD on Africa, and the fact the region was the first area where the desertification problem drew attention. Even now Africa, as well as Asia, is suffering from serious desertification, and this is developing with significant speed. It therefore seemed natural to give priority to the African Region, and some members of the Committee argued furthermore that the activities in Africa were of particular importance in view of Japan's international assistance programs. As a result, the Committee decided to work on both Africa and Asia .

Chapter 1 of the present report shows the current state of research on desertification / land degradation, and the problems. Chapter 2 then discusses the processes which lead to desertification / land degradation and the possibilities for constructing models for these. In Chapter 3, social systems and technologies needed for prevention and rehabilitation measures are discussed, and case studies are introduced. Chapter 4 examines the support and assistance the international community should offer, and the role Japan could take.

Internationally Japan is expected to continue participating in concrete actions to combat desertification, and to take part in financial and scientific discussions to support them. This report is intended to respond to these circumstances, and reflects our expectation that Japan will continue to grapple with the issue.

September 1998
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Chair, Committee for Research on Combatting Desertification / Land Degradation

Member of the Committee

Kazuhiko Takeuchi	The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Shinobu Inanaga	National Joint-Use Research Institutes Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University
Toshiaki Imagawa	National Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Management
Hisao Wushiki	Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)Institute for International Cooperation,
Kenji Omasa	The University of Tokyo
Takashi Kosaki	Laboratory of Soils, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University
Masato Shinoda	Tokyo Metropolitan University, Department of Geography
Hideyuki Shimizu	National Institute for Environmental Studies, The Center for Global Environmental Research
Naoya Shimizu	Japan Green Resources Corporation
Kazuma Takahashi	Action for Greening Sahel(AGS-JAPON)
Atsushi Tsunekawa	The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Shunji Matsuoka	Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University
Haruo Miyata	International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC)

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