Tanzania, through the African Civil Society Organizations Representative to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD), who is also the Chairperson of the Journalists’ Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET), Dr. Ellen Okoedion on June 17, 2026, joins other nations around the world in commemorating the United Nations Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, also known as UNCCD Day 2026.
This day is observed every year to raise awareness and promote action to protect land, strengthen drought resilience and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
This year’s commemoration is guided by the theme: “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore,” meaning: “Recognize rangelands. Respect pastoralists. Restore degraded land.”
The theme seeks to encourage communities to recognize the value of grazing lands, drylands, savannas and other land systems that support livestock, wildlife, water sources, biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of people around the world.
Dr. Ellen says that, for Tanzania, this message carries special importance because of the major contribution of the livestock sector to the national economy and the wellbeing of rural communities. Rangelands are not empty lands, as they are often perceived; they are living systems that produce food, income and employment, while also preserving the culture of many pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities.
“Livestock sector statistics show that Tanzania has approximately 30.5 million cattle, 18.8 million goats and 5.3 million sheep. These animals are a source of food, nutrition, trade and income for millions of people.
“However, the ability of this sector to continue contributing to national development depends on the health of the rangelands that sustain it.
“Currently, many rangeland areas in the country are facing serious challenges that threaten their future. Climate change, recurrent droughts, land degradation, shrinking grazing areas, water scarcity, the spread of invasive species and unsustainable land use are increasing pressure on communities that depend on these resources,” she said
She added that environmental experts warn that the impacts of rangeland degradation do not affect the environment alone. They also touch food security, water availability, peace within communities, youth employment, gender equality and overall economic development.
In this context, this year’s commemoration comes at a time when the United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, an initiative aimed at increasing global understanding of the contribution of rangelands and the people who manage them in conserving the environment and strengthening food security.
The world is also heading towards the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD COP17, which will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to 28, 2026.
The conference is expected to hold in-depth discussions on land restoration, drought resilience, food security and actions to address climate change.
Dr. Ellen emphasizes that, in marking this day, civil society organizations inside and outside Tanzania are calling on the government, private sector, development partners, media and the public to increase efforts to protect and restore degraded rangelands.
Four Key Issues
First, rangelands should be recognized as important national resources. These areas make a major contribution to livestock production, biodiversity conservation, wildlife tourism, water availability and environmental resilience. Their loss threatens food security and the national economy.
Second, pastoralists should be recognized as part of the solution, rather than being seen as the source of problems. Their traditional knowledge of rangeland management, livestock mobility and resource use in drylands is an important tool in addressing drought and climate change.
Third, rangeland restoration should respond to the needs of communities. This includes protecting grazing areas, recognizing livestock routes, managing water sources, restoring native grasses, controlling invasive species and strengthening early warning systems against drought.
Fourth, women and young people should be fully involved in decisions on rangeland management. Women play a major role in household food security and family economies, while young people bring opportunities for innovation, digital technologies, green jobs and environmental entrepreneurship.
Environmental stakeholders note that drought does not begin when livestock die or crops fail. It begins when communities are unable to protect the land, water sources and ecosystems that sustain life.
For this reason, Tanzania needs to shift from responding to disasters after they occur to investing in preparedness, sustainable land management and cooperation among farmers, pastoralists, local governments and development partners.
As the nation prepares to participate in global discussions towards COP17, there is a need to increase investment in land-use planning, water-resource management, restoration of degraded areas, community participation, women’s leadership and youth empowerment in the environmental sector.
UNCCD Day 2026 provides an important opportunity to reflect on the reality that healthy land is the foundation of life. When land is protected and restored, livestock thrive, production increases, water sources are strengthened, conflicts are reduced and communities become better able to cope with economic and environmental challenges.
This year’s message makes this clear: "Let us recognize rangelands, respect pastoralists and restore degraded land before drought turns into disaster."
