Soil Degradation and its Conservation

Soil Degradation:

• Soil degradation is referred to as the decline in the fertility of the soil. In case the nutritional value of the soil deteriorates the condition is termed soil degradation
• Soil degradation is a major factor causing harm to the available soil resources base in India
• Depending upon the topography, amount of rainfall, and wind velocity, the degree of soil degradation can vary from place to place

Soil Erosion:

• Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when water or wind dispatches soil particles while deteriorating the soil quality. This condition can be described as soil erosion
• The process of the formation and erosion of the soil go hand-in-hand. But there is an adequate balance between the formation and erosion as the rate of removal of fine particles from the surface is equal to the rate of particles adding to the soil layer
• Sometimes, this balance can be disturbed due to natural or human activities which leads to soil erosion also known as removal of soil
• Among all, water and wind are the two most powerful agents leading to soil erosion as they hold the ability to transport soil from one patch to another

Wind Erosion:  

Wind erosion is significant in arid and semi-arid areas only

Water Erosion: 

Water erosion takes place in regions with heavy rainfall and steep slopes

Sheet Erosion:

After a heavy shower, the sheet erosion takes place as the soil removal is not easily noticeable. However, it can be harmful as it flushes fertile topsoil

Gully Erosion:

Gully erosion majorly occurs on steep slopes. Gullies deepen with rainfall, divide agricultural lands into smaller parts making them inappropriate for cultivation. A region with several deep gullies is referred to as a badland topography. These are commonly found in the Chambal basin, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Reasons for Soil Erosion and Soil Degradation:

Soil Degradation in Indian Agriculture:

In case of soil degradation, the salt locked inside the soil appears on the surface which destroys the soil fertility making it unfit for cultivation. Chemicals stiffen the soil and diminish fertility in the long haul unless it receives enough humus.

Deforestation:  

Reports state that the effects of soil erosion are mostly seen in hilly parts of the country. Plants tend to bind the soil together, and thus, prevent erosion. 

Overgrazing: 

Another major reason for soil erosion is overgrazing and shifting cultivation as it shows harsh effects on the natural cover of land leading to extensive erosion.

Effects of Soil Erosion 

Here are the major effects of the soil erosion- 

Loss of the arable land 

Soil erosion tends to remove the top most layer of the soil. This layer is extremely fertile and is rich in all essential nutrients required by the soil and the plant. 

Air pollution 

The dust particles that merge in the air lead to air pollution. Some of these substances include petroleum and pesticides. These can be exceedingly dangerous if breathed.

Desertification 

Desertification is majorly caused due to soil erosion. Desertification transforms a habitat region into a desert leading to loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and ecosystem alteration. 

Clogging of waterways

The agricultural soil holds fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and several other chemicals that unfortunately pollutes the water bodies where the soil flows. 

Soil Conservation:

Soil conservation is a methodology to maintain soil fertility, prevent soil exhaustion, erosion, and improve soil condition. 

Measure for Soil Conservation:

The following measures can be applied for the conservation of soil: 

• Do not practice farming on open cultivable lands on slopes. Lands with a slope gradient of 15-20 percent are not appropriate for cultivation. The best practice is to build terraces on hilly tracks
• One major reason for soil erosion is shifting cultivation. To prevent the condition of soil erosion, the best practice is to educate villagers 
• Contour bunding, regulated forestry, cover cropping, Contour terracing, controlled grazing, crop rotation, and mixed farming can be performed to reverse this condition
• The condition of finger gullies can be sorted by terracing. In bigger gullies, the problem can be resolved by constructing a series of check dams
• Steps should be taken to control the headward extension of gullies. This can be achieved by terracing, gully plugging, or planting cover vegetation
• In arid and semi-arid areas, there is a rapid need to develop strategies to cultivate lands from encroachment by dunes. This can be done by developing Agroforestry and shelterbelts of trees
• To prevent the condition of soil erosion in India, the Central Soil Conservation Board has prepared numerous plans depending upon the needs of different parts of the country
• These plans are developed based on the configuration of the land, climatic conditions, and the social behavior of people

Conclusion 

The health of soil is one of the most crucial factors not only for farmers who earn their livelihood from it but for every human being as we are dependent on agriculture for food and employment. However, soil erosion is a big barrier which is emerging each day and there are several challenges that yet need to be tackled intelligently. Some of the best prevention methods are planting maximum trees, adding rocks and mulch for preventing plants underneath to prevent soil erosion, and having a proper drainage system.