Approach
- Introduce the answer by briefing about soil degradation with data.
- Give causes and consequences of soil degradation
- Highlight the Conservation Measures to Prevent Soil Degradation
- Conclude with a forward looking approach.
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Introduction
Soil degradation poses a significant challenge to India's agricultural sustainability, impacting food security, livelihoods, and environmental balance.
- The Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India (SAC 2021) estimates that 97.85 million hectares (29.77% of India’s geographical area) are degraded, with desertification processes increasing over time.
Body
Causes of Soil Degradation in India
- Deforestation and Urbanization
- Large-scale deforestation for agriculture, infrastructure, and urban expansion accelerates soil erosion and reduces water retention. It is prevalent all over India.
- 95% of tree cover loss (2013–2023) occurred in natural forests, with the Western Ghats losing 5% of its evergreen forests.
- Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
- The overuse of urea-based fertilizers and neglect of phosphorus and potassium has led to nutrient depletion.
- Less than 5% of Indian soils have high nitrogen levels, while only 20% contain sufficient organic carbon.
- Punjab and Haryana, due to intensive Green Revolution farming, have experienced declining soil fertility.
- Overgrazing and Livestock Pressure
- India has 535 million livestock, exceeding the sustainable carrying capacity of grazing lands, leading to severe vegetation loss.
- Key Affected Regions: States like Rajasthan and Gujarat face widespread topsoil erosion due to unregulated grazing.
- Industrial Pollution and Mining Activities
- Mining states like Odisha and Jharkhand suffer from heavy metal contamination.
- The Sterlite Copper plant (Tamil Nadu) caused severe soil and water contamination.
- Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
- Erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods accelerate soil erosion and nutrient depletion.
- The 2023 Himachal Pradesh floods resulted in significant topsoil loss.
- Soil erosion rates are projected to increase from 35.3% to 40.3% by the end of the century due to climate change.
- Shifting Cultivation (Slash-and-Burn)
- Jhum cultivation in northeastern states like Nagaland, Assam, and Mizoram has degraded 4,925 km² of land, leading to extensive soil erosion.
- Infrastructure Development & Construction Activities
- Large projects like the Char Dham Highway in Uttarakhand have led to 300+ instances of landslides due to soil instability.
Consequences of Soil Degradation
Consequence |
Impact |
Reduced Agricultural Productivity |
Declining crop yields threaten food security. Punjab’s wheat yields are stagnating due to soil nutrient depletion. |
Desertification |
83.69 million hectares of land classified as drylands are undergoing desertification, worsening in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. |
Water Scarcity |
Degraded soils reduce groundwater recharge and increase reliance on over-extraction. |
Loss of Biodiversity |
Soil degradation disrupts ecosystems, reducing flora and fauna diversity. Western Ghats forest loss impacts local soil fertility. |
Increased Natural Disasters |
Degraded soil increases the risk of landslides (Uttarakhand), floods (Himachal Pradesh), and droughts (Bundelkhand). |
Health Hazards |
Heavy metals and pesticides in degraded soils contaminate food, leading to health issues. |
Conservation Measures to Prevent Soil Degradation:
- Sustainable Agricultural Practices
- Balanced Fertilization: Linking the Soil Health Card Scheme with real-time advisory services for precise fertilizer use.
- Organic and Natural Farming: Expanding Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) models.
- Improved Water Management
- Micro-irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler): Expanding PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to reduce water wastage.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Promoting watershed development and check-dam construction to enhance groundwater recharge.
- Reforestation and Agroforestry
- Expanding the National Afforestation Programme (NAP) with community-led tree-planting initiatives.
- Implementing the Wadi System, integrating agriculture, horticulture, and forestry for soil conservation.
- Controlling Mining and Industrial Pollution
- Stronger regulations on illegal mining and industrial waste disposal in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
- Expanding bioremediation techniques, such as microbial treatment, to detoxify contaminated soil.
- Erosion Control Measures
- Mulching and Cover Cropping: Reduces wind and water erosion in semi-arid zones.
- Zero Tillage Farming: Expanding Happy Seeder technology to high-yield areas like Punjab and Haryana.
- Research & Development for Soil Conservation
- Investing in Biochar and Microbial Fertilizers: Enhancing soil carbon and microbial activity.
- Digital Soil Health Mapping: Leveraging ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellites to track degradation trends.
Conclusion
Integrating sustainable agriculture, afforestation, water conservation, and community-led initiatives will be key to restoring India’s soil health. A holistic, region-specific, and technology-driven approach is needed to ensure long-term agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience.