The World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on which of the following dates?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your awareness of an important United Nations environmental observance. The World Day to Combat Desertification focuses on land degradation, desertification, and drought, which are major global environmental challenges. Knowing the date associated with this day is useful not only for exams but also for understanding international efforts related to sustainable land management.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the World Day to Combat Desertification.
• Four specific dates are given: 4th May, 17th June, 14th August, and 3rd October.
• We must select the correct date on which this day is officially observed each year.

Concept / Approach:
The strategy is to recall or learn which world observances fall on which dates. The United Nations has designated 17 June as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This date commemorates the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The other dates in the options are used for different national or international events but are not associated with this specific UN observance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key name of the observance: World Day to Combat Desertification. Step 2: Recall that the United Nations observes this day on 17 June every year to highlight issues of land degradation and desertification. Step 3: Compare this memory with the options provided: 4 May, 17 June, 14 August, and 3 October. Step 4: Confirm that 17 June exactly matches the official UN date for this observance. Step 5: Recognise that 4 May, 14 August, and 3 October correspond to other events or have no special link with this UN day. Step 6: Conclude that the correct answer must be 17th June.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by referring to the official United Nations calendar of observances, environmental education material, or standard GK resources. They clearly state that 17 June is observed as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This independent verification supports our choice beyond simple memory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
4th May: This date is not recognised as the World Day to Combat Desertification in UN lists of observances.
14th August: Associated with other national events in some countries, but not with this UN environmental day.
3rd October: Used for other observances or national days but has no official connection with the global desertification day.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different UN environmental days, such as Earth Day, World Environment Day, and the World Day to Combat Desertification. Memorising these dates as a small group and linking each to its central theme (climate, environment, land degradation) helps avoid mix-ups. Also, pay attention to terms like “desertification” and “land degradation”, which directly hint at this particular day.

Final Answer:
Therefore, the World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on 17th June.