- Soil conservation encompasses a comprehensive array of measures designed to shield the soil from erosion and depletion.
- With estimations indicating that conservation measures are required for up to two-thirds of our arable land, there exists an imminent need to prioritize soil preservation.
- This urgency stems from the imperative of safeguarding soil health for the prosperity of the Indian populace.
- Recognizing the critical role soil plays in sustaining agricultural productivity, it becomes paramount to implement measures that ensure the longevity and fertility of our soil.
- The call for urgent soil conservation measures is not merely a necessity but a strategic investment in the well-being and prosperity of the masses in India.
EFFECTIVE SOIL CONSERVATION METHODS
Various strategies are commonly employed to conserve soil and ensure its sustained fertility:
Afforestation:
- Cease indiscriminate tree felling and actively promote tree planting initiatives.
- Aim to increase forest cover to 33% of total land, with specific targets of 20% for plains and 60% for hilly/mountainous regions.
Checking Overgrazing:
- Implement measures to control overgrazing in forests and grasslands.
- Designate specific areas as grazing grounds to manage and regulate livestock activities effectively.
Changing Agricultural Practices:
- Encourage crop rotation to prevent soil nutrient depletion caused by continuous cultivation of the same crop.
- Advocate the cultivation of leguminous plants for nitrogen fixation, enhancing soil fertility.
- Promote strip cropping, where crops are cultivated in alternating parallel strips, minimizing fallow periods and reducing erosion risk.
- Embrace no-till farming, involving planting seeds into the residue of the previous crop, preserving crop residue cover on the field.
Contour Ploughing:
- Plough at right angles to hill slopes, following natural contours to create ridges and furrows.
- This method disrupts water flow, allowing plants to absorb more moisture and mitigating erosion.
Checking Shifting Cultivation:
- Encourage transition from shifting cultivation to settled agriculture.
- Facilitate this transition by providing tribal communities with land and agricultural equipment.
Terrace Farming:
- Construct terraces to create level areas on hillside landscapes.
- Terraces act as steps, each at a higher level than the previous, preventing erosion and enhancing cultivation.
Windbreaks:
- Plant dense rows of trees at the windward exposure of fields prone to wind erosion.
- Evergreen species offer year-round protection, reducing soil loss.
Salinity Management:
- Use humic acids to prevent excess salination, particularly in areas with excessive irrigation.
- Salt-tolerant plant species, such as saltbush, can be employed to lower water tables and reduce surface salt enrichment.
Natural Fertilizers:
- Mitigate the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers by promoting natural alternatives.
- Utilize natural fertilizers like livestock manure, mulch, municipal sludge, and nitrogen-fixing plants to replenish essential nutrients in the soil while enhancing organic content.
SCHEMES FOR SOIL CONSERVATION IN INDIA
Several initiatives and schemes have been implemented in India to address soil conservation and promote sustainable land management. Some noteworthy measures include:
Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA):
- Launched from 1955 onwards to safeguard hill slopes in Jhum areas.
- Implements soil and water conservation measures on a watershed basis to protect against erosion.
NABARD Loan – Soil & Water Conservation Scheme under RIDF (2001 Onwards):
- Envisages promoting sustainable development through soil and water conservation.
- Facilitates the conservation and management of soil and water resources, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana (RKVY):
- Focuses on protecting topsoil, enhancing soil fertility, and improving crop production.
- Targets watershed areas, including wastelands, river valleys, and ecosystems as a whole.
Soil Health Card Schemes:
- Aims to promote soil test-based and balanced use of fertilizers.
- Enables farmers to achieve higher yields at a lower cost by providing information on the appropriate nutrient levels for specific crops based on soil quality.
- Aims to increase awareness among growers about optimal nutrient management.
These schemes collectively contribute to soil conservation efforts, emphasizing sustainable practices and holistic watershed management across various regions in India.
FAQs – SOIL CONSERVATION
1. What is soil conservation, and why is it essential?
A: Soil conservation involves a range of measures aimed at protecting soil from erosion and exhaustion. It is crucial to sustain soil health, as estimates suggest that up to two-thirds of arable land in India requires conservation efforts. The urgency arises from the need to safeguard soil for the prosperity of the Indian population and ensure sustained agricultural productivity.
2. What are the effective methods for soil conservation?
A: Several strategies are employed, including afforestation, checking overgrazing, changing agricultural practices (crop rotation, strip cropping, no-till farming), contour ploughing, checking shifting cultivation, terrace farming, windbreaks, salinity management, and the use of natural fertilizers. These methods aim to prevent erosion, enhance fertility, and promote sustainable land management.
3. How does afforestation contribute to soil conservation?
A: Afforestation involves halting indiscriminate tree felling and promoting tree planting. The goal is to increase forest cover, reaching 33% of the total land, with specific targets of 20% for plains and 60% for hilly/mountainous regions. Trees play a vital role in preventing soil erosion and maintaining ecological balance.
4. What role do agricultural practices play in soil conservation?
A: Changing agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, cultivation of leguminous plants, strip cropping, no-till farming, and contour ploughing, helps in preserving soil fertility and preventing erosion. These practices promote sustainable farming methods that benefit both soil health and crop yield.
5. How do government schemes contribute to soil conservation in India?
A: Initiatives like the Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA), NABARD Loan – Soil & Water Conservation Scheme under RIDF, Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana (RKVY), and Soil Health Card Schemes are implemented to address soil conservation. These schemes focus on sustainable development, watershed management, and promoting soil health through informed agricultural practices.
6. What is the significance of the Soil Health Card Scheme?
A: The Soil Health Card Scheme aims to promote soil test-based and balanced fertilizer use. By providing farmers with information on nutrient levels in their soil, it enables them to achieve higher yields at a lower cost. The scheme emphasizes the importance of optimal nutrient management for sustainable and productive agriculture.
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