Soil Conservation

Soil Conservation is a process of preventing the degradation of the topmost layer of soil by erosion and also preventing the reduction in fertility due to acidification or soil pollution. Soils are a critical component of the Earth and its varied ecosystems and play a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. It is formed from the confluence of time, topography, climate, and organisms. Due to overexploitation and unsustainable development methods, humanity is witnessing soil erosion rapidly. In light of these, we must keep all differences aside and work harmoniously to conserve the soil.

What is Soil Conservation?

Soil conservation is the prevention of soil loss from erosion or the prevention of reduced fertility caused by overuse, acidification, salinization, or other chemical soil contamination. It is the process of protecting soil from damage caused by natural or human activities. This includes preventing soil erosion, improving soil quality, and maintaining soil health.

Types of Soil Conservation Methods

Here are some of the major soil conservation methods that will help us in preventing the loss of the top layer of soil:

Salinity Management

Salinity poses a big challenge to the health and productivity of our soil, affecting a whopping 2 billion hectares of land globally. This happens when salts build up in the soil, making it tough for plants to get the water and nutrients they need. The result? Reduced crop yields, turning fertile land into deserts, and causing financial losses. To tackle this, it’s crucial to manage salinity and keep our soil healthy for sustainable farming. We’ve got some cool techniques up our sleeves:

Drainage and leaching: Excess water can be drained from the soil to remove accumulated salts. Leaching involves applying large amounts of water to wash out the salts.
Salt-tolerant crops: Cultivating plants that can tolerate saline conditions can help reduce soil salinity. Examples include salt-tolerant grasses, shrubs, and trees.
Gypsum application: Gypsum is a calcium sulfate mineral that can help improve soil structure and reduce salinity. It is applied to the soil to replace sodium ions with calcium ions, making the soil less saline.
Organic matter amendment: Adding organic matter can improve soil structure and increase water infiltration. This reduces the risk of salinity. Irrigation management: Efficient irrigation practices can help reduce waterlogging and salt accumulation.
Land use planning: Planning land use to avoid salinization is crucial. Using less water-intensive crops in water-scarce regions can help prevent salinity problems.
Salinity monitoring: Regularly monitoring soil salinity levels can help identify areas that are at risk of salinization.

Soil Organisms

Soil organisms are the living creatures that inhabit the soil and play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting agriculture. These organisms range in size from microscopic bacteria to large earthworms. They contribute to a wide range of soil processes, including nutrient cycling, water infiltration, and soil structure.

Afforestation

Adding more trees is a simple and effective way to prevent soil erosion. Trees’ roots firmly anchor the soil, preventing erosion by wind and water runoff. Areas with dense tree cover experience less erosion, offering protection against strong winds and floods. The draft forest policy in 2018 aimed for a forest cover of over 33% of India’s geographical area.

Controlling Overgrazing

Overgrazing, where a high number of cattle graze on a small piece of land, loosens soil and exposes it to erosion. Vigilance and monitoring of grasslands and forests are essential to prevent overgrazing. Strict regulations on grazing in areas with exposed soil and rationing grazing activities in designated grounds are crucial.

Using Natural Fertilizers

Natural fertilizers, such as livestock manure and mulch, are less polluting and enhance crop productivity. They replenish soil with essential nutrients and organic matter, promoting soil health. Choosing natural fertilizers over chemical ones helps avoid the risks of land acidification and desertification.

Adopting Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Traditional agricultural practices like mono-cropping and excessive use of fertilizers contribute to soil erosion. Sustainable practices like strip cropping, crop rotation, contour ploughing, and no-till farming help reduce soil erosion and maintain soil health.

Terrace Farming

Terrace farming involves creating steps on hill slopes with soil barriers to prevent erosion. Common in hilly areas with high runoff intensity, smaller farms effectively use terrace farming to conserve soil.

Windbreaks

Planting rows of trees on the windward side of agricultural fields acts as a barrier against strong winds, preventing soil erosion. Deciduous and evergreen trees not only protect the soil but also offer additional income for farmers by selling tree products.

Shifting from Shifting Cultivation

Encouraging tribal communities to shift from traditional shifting cultivation to settled agriculture helps conserve significant forest cover. Providing modern agricultural tools, equipment, and training on using natural fertilizers improves productivity and soil fertility.

Benefits of Soil Conservation

Soil conservation has several benefits that are important for both farmers and the environment.
Soil conservation practices help maintain the quality of the soil. This means that the soil remains fertile and healthy, allowing plants to grow better and produce higher yields.
Erosion is the process of soil being washed away by water or blown away by wind.
Soil conservation techniques help prevent erosion. This protects the top layer of soil and prevents nutrient loss.
Soil conservation methods such as minimum tillage or cover cropping help improve water infiltration.
This means that water can penetrate the soil more easily. This reduces runoff and allows plants to access water more effectively.
Soil conservation practices also play a role in protecting water quality.
By preventing soil erosion, they help reduce sedimentation in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.
Soil conservation practices help maintain a healthy ecosystem in the soil.
They preserve biodiversity and support the natural processes that contribute to soil fertility.
Soil conservation is essential for long-term sustainable agriculture.
By preserving the quality of the soil, farmers can continue to cultivate their land and rely on it for future generations.
It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. It promotes a more natural and environmentally friendly approach to farming.

Importance of Soil Conservation

Here are some reasons why the method of soil conservation holds immense significance:

Soils are critical for the existence of life on earth. Plants grow on soils, and they are a source of food for both man and animals. Moreover, the soil is the primary habitat for many organisms.
Soils help in the percolation of water and maintain groundwater levels. If soil would not have been there, recharging groundwater would be difficult, and we would have faced water shortage. Soils also act as a natural filtration system for surface water.
They absorb all the impurities and leave behind fresh, pure water on the surface for our use. Soils have a major role in maintaining the climate of the Earth; they are the second largest carbon sink after oceans.
Carbon dioxide is stored in the soil by plants through the process of photosynthesis. As per some estimates, the carbon pool in soil stands at 2500 billion tonnes. Soils absorb excess rainwater and play an important role in mitigating floods.
The fertile alluvial soils of Indo-Ganga Plains and coastal deltaic region support a significant population as it is ideal for practice farming. Moreover, soils also support development and economic growth as all infrastructure stands on soil only.
Soil conservation is important as degradation and acidification of soil are permanent phenomena and cannot be reversed. Once we lose an inch of soil, we will never be able to retrieve the same.

Soil Conservation Schemes in India

Here are some of the major soil conservation projects launched by the governments in India:

Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) – NABARD Loan for Soil & Water Conservation:

The government of India initiated the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund in 1995-96, facilitated by NABARD. The primary objective was to support farmers financially in adopting soil-friendly farming practices. The focus was on encouraging sustainable development through innovative soil conservation techniques.

Rashtriya Krish Vikas Yojana:

Launched by the Union Government in 2007, this national program aimed at ensuring holistic and sustainable growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Recognizing soil erosion as a significant factor in reduced fertility and low productivity, the government allocated funds to rural local bodies for soil conservation projects. The goal was to enhance soil fertility, prevent topsoil erosion, and employ innovative methods for terrestrial ecosystem preservation.

Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas:

Initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Affairs in 1995, this project addressed the issue of land degradation caused by shifting or jhum cultivation. It focused on comprehensive development in jhum areas on a watershed basis, utilizing scientific methods to reclaim affected lands. Additionally, the project aimed at socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities, encouraging a transition to settled agriculture.

Soil Health Card Scheme:

Introduced in 2015, the Soil Health Card Scheme leveraged technology and a participatory approach to engage farmers in soil conservation. Prior to this initiative, farmers lacked information about their soil’s characteristics, moisture content, and deficiencies. Under this scheme, registered farmers receive a soil health card, offering insights into their soil’s health, crop suitability, and potential future changes. The project has successfully raised awareness among farmers, guiding them in making amendments to improve soil health on their farmlands.

Conclusion

Soil erosion is a big problem for our environment, and it’s causing issues like desertification and land acidification, which can’t be easily fixed and put the survival of living things at risk. That’s why it’s crucial to really step up our efforts in using soil conservation methods and making sure the top layer of soil isn’t exposed. India has set a goal to reclaim 26 million hectares of damaged land by 2030, and reaching that target means we need careful planning, teamwork, and involvement from everyone.