Question

Describe the problems of Land Degradation in India.

Hint:

Score high by writing type + region + effect + remedy: e.g., "salinity in Punjab–Haryana canal commands $\Rightarrow$ yield loss; remedy: subsurface drainage + gypsum." Add 3–4 crisp examples across India.

Answer 1

Meaning
Land degradation is the decline in land's biological productivity and ecological functions, visible as erosion, nutrient loss, salinity/alkalinity, water-logging, desertification, contamination and biodiversity decline.
Major problems and where they occur
1) Water erosion (sheet, rill, gully): Himalayan foothills and Shivaliks, Eastern/Western Ghats, black-soil slopes; Chambal–Yamuna ravines. Leads to topsoil loss, yield decline, and siltation of tanks/reservoirs.
2) Wind erosion/sand encroachment: Thar Desert (Rajasthan), Kachchh–Saurashtra, cold deserts; dune mobility and dust storms remove topsoil.
3) Salinity and sodicity: Canal commands of arid/semi-arid regions (Punjab, Haryana, western U.P., Rajasthan, Gujarat) due to capillary rise/poor drainage; coastal salinity (Sunderbans, Krishna–Godavari deltas).
4) Water-logging: Shallow water tables in canal commands (Punjab–Haryana, Odisha delta) causing root anoxia and secondary salinisation.
5) Nutrient mining/organic matter loss: High cropping intensity with low FYM/green manure; micro-nutrient deficiencies (Zn, B, Fe) and SOC decline.
6) Deforestation/shortened shifting cultivation cycles: North-East hills and forest fringes—accelerated erosion, habitat loss.
7) Desertification: Arid/semi-arid Deccan rain-shadows and Rajasthan—vegetation loss, crusting, lower infiltration.
8) Mining/industrial spoil: Coal and metal belts (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa)—overburden dumps, acid drainage, heavy-metal contamination.
9) Urbanisation/infrastructure and sand mining: Conversion of prime farmland, soil compaction, riverbank instability.
10) Pollution of soils: Pesticide residues, sewage-sludge/fly-ash application, effluents—food-chain risks and soil toxicity.
Socio-economic and ecological impacts
Reduced yields and farmer incomes; higher input dependence (water, fertiliser); migration; increased flood risk from silted channels; loss of ecosystem services (recharge, carbon, biodiversity).
Remedies/strategies (action points)
Contour bunding, terracing, vegetative barriers and check dams; watershed development and farm ponds; conservation tillage and residue retention; regulated grazing and shelterbelts for dunes; gypsum for sodic soils, leaching and subsurface drainage for salinity/water-logging; conjunctive canal–groundwater use; mine-spoil reclamation and afforestation; regulate sand mining; diversify crops and adopt drought-resilient varieties; strengthen community management of commons with incentive-linked stewardship.