Soil degradation in india and solutions, presentation for educational purpose only. Prepared by Nilakshi, Neshab, Manami, Tapan Moran and Biplab Sarma of Dept. Of Env. Scince, Gauhati University

1. PREPARED BY:
NILAKSHI SARANIA
NESHAB ULLAH
MANAMI DEKA
TAPAN MORAN
BIPLAB SARMAH
D E P T. O F E N V I R O N M E N TAL S C I E N C E
G AU H AT I U N I V E R S I T Y
SOIL DEGRADATION IN INDIA:
CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL
SOLUTIONS

2. What is Soil Degradation?
 Soil degradation is the decline in soil condition caused by its improper
use or poor management, usually for agricultural, industrial or urban
purposes.
 Soil degradation is the physical, chemical and biological decline in soil
quality.
 Soil degradation in India is estimated to be occurring on 147 million
hectors of land estimated by National Commission on Agriculture.

3. India: Soil degradation

4. Types of soil degradation
Soil degradation
Physical Chemical Biological
( Overgrazing ,
Deforestation etc.)
(Poor irrigation,
excess use of
fertilizers ,
industrial and
urban wastes
etc.)
(Monoculture,
excessive
tillage etc.)

5. Causes of soil degradation
 Overgrazing
 Deforestation
 Industrialization
 Overpopulation
 Over exploitation and mining of land
 Agricultural activities leading to soil degradation

6. Soil degradation in North east
(due to shifting cultivation)
 Shifting cultivation includes slashing and burning of
vegetation.
 It encourages deforestation ( which is one of the
major causes of soil degradation)

7.  Shifting cultivation reduces soil fertility and hence
afield that had been cultivated left for sever
 The longer a field is cropped, the greater the loss of
soil organic matter, Cation exchange capacity and in
Nitrogen and Phosphorus.
 Increases soil acidity, reduces soil porosity and
infiltration capacity.

8. Consequences of Soil degradation
 Decline in the productivity capacity of the soil
 Decline in soil usefulness.
 Accelerate soil erosion by wind and water
 Soil salinity, alkalinity, acidity lead to poor soil
structure and reduce yield.
 Destruction of soil structure including loss of organic
matter.

9. Challenges in India
 Soil degradation closely linked to poverty, as the
degree of degradation increases , crop and animal
yields decline and people have both less to eat and
less to sell to support themselves
 Overpopulation
 Being a developing country

10. Solutions of Soil Degradation
 Scientific analysis of soil: use of chemicals- fertilizers,
insectiticides, weedicides, fungicides etc.
 Plantation.
 Over irrigation should be avoided.
 Over grazing, tilling should be controlled.
 Agricultural activities: integrated farming, crop rotation.
 Concretization need to be proper planned.
 Industrial & Municipal wastage dumping site to be
properly selected with scientific analysis.
 RRR Model & Waste Management.

11. Green belt in Gujarat Mathauri construction in Assam

12. Humus carried by flood Terraced irrigation
Molai Forest Ecotourism development

13. Thank you