Question

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

Hint:

For questions suggesting 'measures' or 'solutions', structure your answer with clear, actionable points. Start each point with a strong heading (e.g., 'Afforestation', 'Improved Agricultural Practices') and then briefly explain how that measure helps solve the problem.

Answer 1

Meaning of Land Degradation:
Land degradation is the process of decline in the quality and productive capacity of land, making it less fit for its intended use. It is a reduction in the land's ability to provide ecosystem services and support agriculture, forestry, or human habitation. This deterioration can be caused by a combination of natural processes and, more significantly, unsustainable human activities. The main forms of land degradation include:
- Soil Erosion: Removal of the fertile topsoil by wind or water.
- Salinization and Alkalinization: Accumulation of excess salts in the soil, often due to improper irrigation, making it infertile.
- Waterlogging: Saturation of the soil with water, which harms crop roots.
- Desertification: The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
- Loss of Soil Nutrients: Depletion of essential nutrients due to continuous cropping without replenishment.
Measures for Minimizing Land Degradation in India:
Several measures can be adopted to control and minimize land degradation:


Afforestation and Control of Deforestation: A massive tree plantation drive is one of the most effective ways to combat land degradation. Trees bind the soil, reduce wind and water erosion, and improve soil fertility. Strict enforcement of laws against illegal deforestation is also crucial.
Improved Agricultural Practices: - Contour Ploughing and Terracing: In hilly areas, ploughing along contours and creating terraces can reduce the speed of water flow and prevent soil erosion. - Crop Rotation and Strip Cropping: Planting different crops in succession or in alternate strips helps maintain soil fertility and reduces erosion.
Proper Management of Grazing: Overgrazing by livestock removes the protective vegetation cover, leading to soil erosion. This can be managed by creating dedicated grazing lands, promoting stall-feeding, and implementing rotational grazing.
Creation of Shelterbelts: Planting rows of trees and shrubs along the edges of fields, especially in arid and coastal areas, breaks the force of the wind and prevents wind erosion.
Sustainable Water Management: - Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation: Adopting efficient irrigation methods can prevent problems of waterlogging and salinization that arise from traditional flood irrigation. - Watershed Management: This involves conserving soil and water resources in a watershed through measures like building check dams and percolation tanks.
Control of Mining and Industrial Activities: Land degradation from mining can be minimized by reclaiming mined areas through backfilling and revegetation. Treating industrial effluents before discharging them can prevent soil and water contamination.