Biodiversity & Environment
India's Soil Erosion Crisis
- 12 Apr 2024
- 9 min read
For Prelims: Soil erosion, Factors of Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Brahmaputra Valley, Factors Contributing Soil Erosion.
For Mains: Challenges Related to Soil Health in India, Issues Related to Agriculture.
Why in News?
A recent study has shed light on the concerning state of soil erosion across India, revealing significant challenges and implications for agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
- The researchers employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) for pan-India soil erosion estimation. The equation considers factors like predicted crop loss, rainfall, soil erodibility, and land management practices.
What are the Key Highlights of the Study?
- 30% of India's landmass is experiencing "minor" soil erosion, 3% facing "catastrophic" topsoil loss.
- Brahmaputra Valley in Assam is identified as the country's biggest hotspot for soil erosion.
- Odisha highlighted as another hotspot for "catastrophic" erosion due to anthropogenic interventions.
- Catastrophic erosion is defined as over 100 tonnes of soil lost per hectare annually.
What is the Status of Soil Erosion in India?
- About: Soil erosion refers to the process by which soil is moved or displaced from one location to another.
- It can occur at varying rates depending on factors such as climate, topography, vegetation cover, and human activities.
- Factors Contributing Soil Erosion:
- Natural Causes:
- Wind: Strong winds can pick up loose soil particles and carry them away, especially in dry areas with sparse vegetation.
- Water: Heavy rainfall or fast-flowing water can detach and transport soil particles, particularly on sloped land or where there's little vegetation cover.
- Glaciers and Ice: The movement of glaciers can scrape and transport massive amounts of soil, while freezing and thawing cycles can cause soil particles to break apart and become more susceptible to erosion.
- Human-Induced Factors:
- Deforestation: Clearing forests removes trees and other vegetation that hold soil in place with their root networks.
- This exposes the soil to the full force of wind and rain, making it more prone to erosion.
- Poor Agricultural Practices: Conventional farming methods like excessive tilling can break down soil structure and leave it vulnerable to erosion.
- Practices like leaving fields bare during fallow periods or using inadequate crop rotation also contribute to the problem.
- Overgrazing: When livestock graze an area too heavily, they can damage vegetation cover, leaving the soil exposed and susceptible to erosion.
- Construction Activities: Land clearing and excavation during construction projects disturb the soil and make it more prone to erosion, especially if proper precautions are not taken.
- Deforestation: Clearing forests removes trees and other vegetation that hold soil in place with their root networks.
- Natural Causes:
- Degraded Soil in India: According to the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, around 30% of the soil in India is degraded.
- Of this, around 29% is lost to the sea, 61% is transferred from one place to another, and 10% is deposited in reservoirs.
What are the Challenges Related to Soil Health in India?
- Low Organic Carbon Content: Indian soils typically have very low organic carbon content, which is crucial for fertility and water retention.
- The soil organic carbon (SOC) content in Indian soils has declined from 1% to 0.3% in the past 70 years.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: A significant portion of Indian soils suffer from deficiencies in major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Over-reliance on chemical fertilisers exacerbate this problem.
- Water Management Issues: Both water scarcity and improper irrigation practices harm soil health. Insufficient water can lead to salinisation, while over-irrigation can cause waterlogging, both impacting soil fertility and structure.
- Around 70% of irrigation water in India is wasted due to the poor management of the farmer.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Land fragmentation due to population pressures and economic constraints can make it difficult for farmers to adopt sustainable practices that improve soil health.
- The average landholding size in India is 1-1.21 hectare.
What are the Government’s Initiatives Related to Soil Conservation?
- Soil Health Management under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
- Soil Health Card Scheme
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): By promoting organic farming, PKVY aims to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides thus allowing natural replenishment of soil nutrients and organic matter, leading to healthier soil.
- Neem Coating of Urea: Neem coating slows down the release of urea, making nitrogen available to plants for a longer period and reducing wastage.
- This translates to less fertiliser needed and potentially improved soil health in the long run.
- Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme: This scheme focuses on subsidising essential nutrients (phosphorus and potassium) for plants, besides nitrogen from urea.
- This encourages balanced fertiliser use, preventing excessive reliance on nitrogen, which can harm soil health over time.
What Measures can be Adopted to Prevent Soil Erosion and Improve Soil Health?
- Biochar and Biofertilizers: Combining biochar application with biofertilizers can be a powerful strategy.
- Biochar holds nutrients and water, while biofertilizers improve nutrient availability and soil health. This can reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers and enhance soil fertility.
- Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced by pyrolysis (heating in absence of oxygen) of organic materials like crop residues, manure, or weeds.
- Biofertilizers are live microorganisms that can improve soil fertility and plant growth.
- Biochar holds nutrients and water, while biofertilizers improve nutrient availability and soil health. This can reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers and enhance soil fertility.
- Drone Technology for Precision Agriculture: Namo Drone Didi Scheme can be linked with soil conservation.
- Drones equipped with multispectral sensors can map soil health parameters like nutrient levels, organic matter content, and moisture levels across large fields.
- This data can be used for precision application of fertilisers and amendments, minimising waste and maximising effectiveness.
- Drones can also be used for targeted seeding and weed control, further reducing soil disturbance.
- Regenerative Agriculture Practices: Integrating no-till farming and using compost can create a customised approach for different areas.
- Additionally, exploring innovative cover cropping techniques like multi-species cover cropping can provide additional benefits like weed suppression and improved soil structure.
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Drishti Mains Question: Q. Evaluate the effectiveness of current government policies and initiatives in addressing soil erosion challenges, and propose innovative strategies for sustainable soil management. |
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Prelims:
Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)
The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at
- expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
- enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
- checking the overuse of fertilisers in farmlands.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Mains:
Q. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production? (2019)
