Question

What do you mean by land degradation? Suggest measures for minimizing land degradation in India.

Hint:

Map your answer to: (1) Define land degradation \(\rightarrow\) (2) List key processes \(\rightarrow\) (3) Measures by theme: soil–water conservation, recharge, salinity/water-logging, fertility, vegetation, land-use/agronomy, pollution control, institutions. Add "ridge-to-valley watershed" and "INM + micro-irrigation" for full marks.

Answer 1

Meaning
Land degradation is the decline in the land's productive capacity and ecological functions caused by natural processes and human actions—seen as soil erosion, loss of organic matter and nutrients, salinity/alkalinity, water-logging, desertification, contamination, and biodiversity loss. It lowers crop yields, raises input needs, increases flood/siltation risks, and undermines rural livelihoods.
Major processes to keep in mind
Water erosion (sheet, rill, gully) \;|\; Wind erosion and dune movement \;|\; Salinisation/alkalisation (sodicity) \;|\; Water-logging \;|\; Nutrient mining and loss of soil organic carbon \;|\; Deforestation and overgrazing \;|\; Mining/industrial spoil \;|\; Urban sprawl and sand mining \;|\; Hazardous residues and heavy-metal pollution.
Measures to minimise land degradation in India (actionable set)
A. Soil and moisture conservation
• Contour bunding, graded bunds, field trenches; bench terracing on slopes; vegetative barriers (vetiver/napier) and strip cropping.
• Mulching and conservation tillage (reduced/no-till) to curb splash erosion and conserve moisture.
• Gully control with check dams, gabions, brushwood barriers; ravine reclamation with contour furrows and plantations.
B. Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge
• Nala bunds, percolation tanks, recharge shafts and farm ponds; ridge-to-valley watershed treatment to moderate runoff and enhance baseflow.
• Roof-water harvesting in villages and small towns; revival/desiltation of tanks, johads and ahars–pynes.
C. Salinity, sodicity and water-logging control
• Subsurface/vertical drainage; leaching with good-quality water.
• Gypsum application for sodic soils; liming for acid soils where needed.
• Conjunctive use of canal–groundwater; lined canals and field channels to reduce seepage.
D. Soil fertility restoration
• Integrated Nutrient Management: balanced N–P–K, soil testing/Soil Health Cards, site-specific nutrient management.
• Organic matter build-up via FYM/compost, green manuring (dhaincha, sunhemp), residue retention and biofertilisers.
• Micronutrient correction (Zn, B, Fe) based on tests.
E. Vegetation cover and commons management
• Afforestation/social forestry; silvi-pasture on degraded commons; rotational and stall feeding to prevent overgrazing; protection against open grazing in regenerating plots.
• Shelterbelts and dune stabilisation (grasses, Prosopis/Acacia where appropriate) in arid zones.
F. Land-use planning and agronomy
• Crop planning suited to agro-ecology: millets, pulses and oilseeds in drylands; short-duration and drought-tolerant cultivars.
• Contour farming, strip intercropping, cover crops; agroforestry and horticulture on marginal lands and bunds.
• Promote micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler), deficit and precision irrigation ("more crop per drop").
G. Pollution and mining control
• Scientific overburden management and mine-spoil reclamation; mandatory EIA and progressive mine closure plans.
• Regulate sand mining; safe disposal and monitored land application of industrial effluents/fly ash only where permissible.
H. Institutions, incentives and convergence
• Community-led watershed committees, user groups, Gram Panchayats; social audit and maintenance funds.
• Converge PMKSY–Watershed, MGNREGA, forestry and agriculture missions; insure crops (risk reduction) and support climate-resilient practices.
Outcome to target
Higher soil organic carbon, reduced erosion/siltation, improved groundwater, stable yields in dry years, and resilient rural livelihoods.