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Excessive soil erosion in India combined with consequent high rate of sedimentation in reservoirs and decreased soil fertility has led to grave environmental problems. Soil erosion mostly affects practically all kinds of lands such as the forest lands, agricultural lands, arid and semi-arid lands, surface mines, roads, construction sites, coastal areas etc. Further, since soil formation is a very slow process, the erosion of the upper layer of the soil leaves it barren for a long time, causing grave problems to the agricultural sector.

To conserve soil and avoid soil erosion, preventive measures need to be implemented urgently. Some of these urgent measures include:

Contour tillage: Here the fields are ploughed along the contours and not along the hill slope. This type of plantation is very effective as it leads to the formation of ridges and furrows against the direction of flow and decreases the velocity of water. This type of farming is also profitable as it increases the infiltration of water in the soil, and the plants thus, absorb more water.

Contour bunding: Here first the plants and bushes in the plot of shifting cultivation is cut down. Leaves are slashed down and left on the surface of the soil to get dry. After the decomposition of the leaves and various other plant parts, the dry materials are bundled and arranged in contour lines. The contour line is anchored with pegs, stones, thin branches etc. creating the contour bunds. Once created, the farmers incorporate the remaining decomposed matter in the soil between the bunds and the crop planted. Time takes its course and soil gradually deposits above each bund and is eroded below which leads to formation of rough terraces below. This type of farming is useful for protecting the farmlands which are marginally sloping, hilly and low on productivity.

There are other measures for the conservation of soil like strip cropping, where the crops are grown in strips parallel to each other. Some strips can remain empty and some strips are planted with tree crops, while some are planted with seasonal crops. The tree crops act as wind breakers or shelterbelts to the smaller crops. As various crops are harvested at various time of the year only a few strips of land are left for the soil erosion to harm.

Some other measures to control soil erosion are: construction of check dams, ban on shifting cultivation, controlled grazing, afforestation, mixed cropping and mixed farming etc. Planting species of plants that can restore the ecological balance of an eroded area is also necessary as rehabilitation of the damaged soil is as much important as its prevention from getting eroded.

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Strip cropping involves alternating strip

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oil conservation is a "combination" of practices used to protect the soil from degradation. First and foremost, soil conservation involves treating the soil as a living ecosystem, and recognizing that all the organisms that make the soil their home, play important roles in producing a fertile healthy environment. They are responsible for breaking down organic matter, releasing nutrients, and opening up spaces for the circulation of air and water.

In addition to preserving soil life and organic matter, the other principles of soil conservation are to:

manage surface runoff,

protect bare exposed soil surfaces, and highly susceptible sites (e.g. steep slopes), and

protect downstream watercourses from sedimentation and pollution.

Some methods of soil conservation are :-
1. Conservation tillage consists of a variety of practices used in agriculture to reduce wind and water erosion. In conservation tillage, at least 20 to 30 percent of the soil surface is covered in the previous year's crop residue after planting. The residue reduces wind velocity at the soil surface and breaks the impact of raindrops. Root systems hold the soil in place. If practiced across a slope, rows of stubble act as small dams to slow water as it runs down hill.

2.Contour farming involves tilling and planting along the contour, rather than up and down the slope. The furrows and rows of plants act as dams which slow down the flow of water moving down the slope. Unless some type of contour farming is used, particularly on long slopes, serious field erosion can result. Contour farming also uses less fuel and power for tractors.

3. Strip cropping involves alternating strips of small grain (e.g. rye) or forage crops (e.g. clover) with row crops like corn. It is used to control erosion by reducing the velocity of wind and water. The forage and cereal grain rows tend to trap sediment that may otherwise end up in watercourses.

4.A windbreak or shelterbelt is a vegetation barrier designed to reduce or eliminate the velocity of the wind and hence reduce wind erosion. (Windbreaks are also used for snow control and to provide shelter for buildings and livestock).

Pragyaa Munshi

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Afforestation:The best way to conserve soil is to increase area under forests. Indiscriminate felling of trees should be stopped and efforts should be made to plant trees in new areas. A minimum area of forest land for the whole country that is considered healthy for soil and water conservation is between 20 to 25 per cent but it was raised to 33 per cent in the second five year plan; the proportion being 20 per cent for the plains and 60 per cent for hilly and mountainous regions.

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Afforestation:The best way to conserve soil is to increase area under forests. Indiscriminate felling of trees should be stopped and efforts should be made to plant trees in new areas. A minimum area of forest land for the whole country that is considered healthy for soil and water conservation is between 20 to 25 per cent but it was raised to 33 per cent in the second five year plan; the proportion being 20 per cent for the plains and 60 per cent for hilly and mountainous regions.

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SUHANI KANORIA

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Execessive soil erosion in india combined with consequent high rate of sedimentation in reservorior and decreased soil fertility has led to grave environmental problems.
According to a 2015 report of Indian institute of remote sensing (IIRS) that estimated amount of soil erosion that occured in India was 147 million hectares.

In a country like India it is not enough to apply preventive measures to avoid erosion we must also work towards taking measures to correct soil defects.

1) countout tillage : here the fields are ploughed along countours and not along hill slopes . This types of plantation is important as it decreases the velocity of water .This is also profitable as it increases the infiltration of water in soil thus plants absorb more water.

2)countout bunding : Here first the plants and bushes in the plot of shifting cultivation is cut down .leaves are slashed down and left on the surface of the soil to get dry . The dry bundles are then arranged in countout lines . This type of farming is useful for protecting the farmlands which are marginally sloping hilly and low on productivity

3) Strip cropping : The crops are grown in strips parallel to each other .
Some strips are planted with tree crops and other are left empty. The tree crops act as wind breakers or shelterbelts to smaller crops.

Some other methods to control soil erosion are: construction of of check dams ,ban on shifting culture ,controlled grazing , afforestation,mixed cropping and mixed farming etc.

Tanmay Rao

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Soil Conversation means protecting the soil from degradation and losing its fertility. Soil Conversation refers to methods employed to reduce damage to the soil. Following methods work in conserving the soil.      Afforestation – Afforestation is one of the best methods for conserving the soil, as planting more trees can help improve the soil quality and strengthens the soil.       Stopping Overgrazing – If animals overgraze on a particular piece of land, the topsoil in that area gets destroyed almost completely hence why it is necessary to stop overgrazing the conserve the soil.  Dams – Floods and storms are one of the major causes of soil erosions and dams can help with that. Dams, if built at the correct location properly can help prevent river flooding and can stop soil erosion. Doing Certain Agricultural practices can help conserve the soil – Crop Rotation – Crop rotation helps with soil conservation, as proper crop rotation helps increase soil nutrition and productivity as the soil fertility is drained less quickly. Strip Cropping – Strip cropping like the name suggests, means that crops are planted in strips that alternate. Strip Cropping allows you to leave a field fallow and also breaks up the action of the wind and lets you plant crops that don’t drain the soil too quickly. Contour Ploughing – Contour ploughing means that ploughing is done along the contour lines in hills, and it saves the soil from landslides and floods. Terrace farming – Terrace farming stops soil erosion by stopping floods in the hills. Proper ploughing of the land  - If the proper ploughing of the land is done perpendicular to the wind direction, It reduces wind speed and stops soil erosion.

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Soil Conversation means protecting the soil from degradation and losing its fertility. Soil Conversation refers to methods employed to reduce damage to the soil. Following methods work in conserving the soil.      Afforestation – Afforestation is one of the best methods for conserving the soil, as planting more trees can help improve the soil quality and strengthens the soil.       Stopping Overgrazing – If animals overgraze on a particular piece of land, the topsoil in that area gets destroyed almost completely hence why it is necessary to stop overgrazing the conserve the soil.  Dams – Floods and storms are one of the major causes of soil erosions and dams can help with that. Dams, if built at the correct location properly can help prevent river flooding and can stop soil erosion. Doing Certain Agricultural practices can help conserve the soil – Crop Rotation – Crop rotation helps with soil conservation, as proper crop rotation helps increase soil nutrition and productivity as the soil fertility is drained less quickly. Strip Cropping – Strip cropping like the name suggests, means that crops are planted in strips that alternate. Strip Cropping allows you to leave a field fallow and also breaks up the action of the wind and lets you plant crops that don’t drain the soil too quickly. Contour Ploughing – Contour ploughing means that ploughing is done along the contour lines in hills, and it saves the soil from landslides and floods. Terrace farming – Terrace farming stops soil erosion by stopping floods in the hills. Proper ploughing of the land  - If the proper ploughing of the land is done perpendicular to the wind direction, It reduces wind speed and stops soil erosion.

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Soil Conservation is a combination of practices used to protect the soil from degradation.  This means returning organic matter to the soil on a continual basis. The following methods are usually used for soil conservation: 1.Afforestation Afforestation means planting trees. As we know, the roots of the trees help to hold the soil layer firmly, it is evident that it helps not to make the soil loose and prevents erosion. Thus, by planting more and more trees, the top layer of the soil becomes less prone to erosion by wind, water or anything likely.          2.Contour ploughing (cultivation against the direction of the wind)Contour ploughing mitigates the impacts of floods, storms and landslides on the crops by reducing soil erosion up to 50 percent, controlling runoff water, increasing moisture infiltration and retention and thus enhancing soil quality and composition.   3.Strip cultivation (cultivation in strips). Strip cropping helps to stop soil erosion by creating natural dams for water, helping to preserve the strength of the soil. Certain layers of plants will absorb minerals and water from the soil more effectively than others.     4.Construction of proper drainage. Drainage ensures that the soil is properly aerated. If you have excess or standing water it can choke your crops. Drainage reduces soil and nutrient loss from runoff and can help avoid soil erosion. Drainage on hill slopes helps to reduce the risk of soil slippage. Drainage can be collected and saved for future use during periods of dry weather. 5.Control of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the market.             Soil can be degraded and the community of organisms living in the soil can be damaged by the misuse or over use of pesticides. Some pesticides are more toxic to soil organisms than others. Some pesticides may break down quickly when applied to soils, while others may persist for longer periods. The type of soil and the type of pesticide can also affect pesticide persistence. Thus the control of fertilizers and pesticides are needed for soil conservation.

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Soil Conservation is a combination of practices used to protect the soil from degradation.  This means returning organic matter to the soil on a continual basis. The following methods are usually used for soil conservation: 1.Afforestation Afforestation means planting trees. As we know, the roots of the trees help to hold the soil layer firmly, it is evident that it helps not to make the soil loose and prevents erosion. Thus, by planting more and more trees, the top layer of the soil becomes less prone to erosion by wind, water or anything likely.          2.Contour ploughing (cultivation against the direction of the wind)Contour ploughing mitigates the impacts of floods, storms and landslides on the crops by reducing soil erosion up to 50 percent, controlling runoff water, increasing moisture infiltration and retention and thus enhancing soil quality and composition.   3.Strip cultivation (cultivation in strips). Strip cropping helps to stop soil erosion by creating natural dams for water, helping to preserve the strength of the soil. Certain layers of plants will absorb minerals and water from the soil more effectively than others.     4.Construction of proper drainage. Drainage ensures that the soil is properly aerated. If you have excess or standing water it can choke your crops. Drainage reduces soil and nutrient loss from runoff and can help avoid soil erosion. Drainage on hill slopes helps to reduce the risk of soil slippage. Drainage can be collected and saved for future use during periods of dry weather. 5.Control of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the market.             Soil can be degraded and the community of organisms living in the soil can be damaged by the misuse or over use of pesticides. Some pesticides are more toxic to soil organisms than others. Some pesticides may break down quickly when applied to soils, while others may persist for longer periods. The type of soil and the type of pesticide can also affect pesticide persistence. Thus the control of fertilizers and pesticides are needed for soil conservation.

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oishee

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Some methods we could use to conserve and protect soil are:

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Some methods we could use to conserve and protect soil are:

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1. AFFORESTATION- To increase the area under forests and reduce tree cutting. In fact, efforts should be made to grow more trees, to protect the soil for nature embellishment.
2. CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS- Soil erosion is very harmful,and is often caused due to river floods. This can be controlled by constructing dams over rivers. Dams help keeping the water in check and to reduce erosion of soil considerably.
3. PLOUGHING LAND TOWARDS THE CORRECT DIRECTION-  When the agricultural land is ploughed perpendicular to the wind direction, it reduces the velocity of the wind and thus, protects the topsoil from erosion.
4. MAINTAINING AND CONTROLLING pH LEVEL- The pH levels in the soil can be affected by a number of factors. And hence it needs to be controlled. Natural products like coffee and vinegar can be used to lower the pH of soil in small scale areas. Chemicals like Aluminium Sulphate and Iron Sulphate can be used in large scale areas, for a quicker impact.

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Crop Rotation is a tool that enables farmers to increase soil organic matter content,

soil structure and rooting depth. This is accomplished by growing secondary crops which enhance soil health.

Root crops are particularly destructive to soil structure because of the extensive shattering of soil aggregates during seedbed preparation and harvest. For this reason, root crops should not be grown more than once every three years.

Cover Cropping and Mulching are effective at reducing soil erosion by leaving a

cover over the soil which reduces soil displacement associated with the impact of raindrops hitting soil particles. They also reduce the volume and velocity of runoff over the soil.

Cross-Slope Farming is the practice of conducting field operations perpendicular to the field slope

~Pratham Thakran

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Nakshatra Mishra
1. Contour ploughing
Originating in ancient Phoenicia, Contour Plowing involves plowing grooves into the desired farmland, then planting the crop furrows in the grooves and following the contours.
2.Terrace farming
Terracing is a method of carving multiple, flat leveled areas into hills. Steps are formed by the terraces, which are surrounded by a mud wall to prevent runoff and hold the soil nutrients in the beds.
3. Crop Rotation
These practices can be used to prevent erosion and even restore damaged soil and encourage plant growth. Eliminating the use of nitrogen fertilizer and fungicides can increase yield.
4.Windbreaks
Rows of tall trees are used in dense patterns around the farmland and prevent wind erosion. Evergreen trees can provide year-round protection, but deciduous trees can be adequate as long as foliage is apparent during the seasons when the soil is bare.
5.Checking overgrazing
Overgrazing of forests and grass lands by animals, especially by goats and sheep, should be properly checked. Separate grazing grounds should be earmarked and fodder crops should be grown in larger quantities. Animals freely move about in the fields for grazing and spoil the soil by their hoofs which leads to soil erosion. This should be avoided.

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Soil Conservation - What Do I Need To Know About It? Learn About Its Importance

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Soil conservation is the process of preventing erosion and loss of fertility in soil. Learn more about the importance of Soil conservation.

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Mohit Sodhani

There are measures for the conservation of soil like strip cropping, where the crops are grown in strips parallel to each other. Some strips can remain empty and some strips are planted with tree crops, while some are planted with seasonal crops. The tree crops act as wind breakers or shelterbelts to the smaller crops. As various crops are harvested at various time of the year only a few strips of land are left for the soil erosion to harm.

Some other measures to control soil erosion are: construction of check dams, ban on shifting cultivation, controlled grazing, afforestation, mixed cropping and mixed farming etc. Planting species of plants that can restore the ecological balance of an eroded area is also necessary as rehabilitation of the damaged soil is as much important as its prevention from getting eroded.

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Soil conservation is the prevention of loss of the top most layer of the soil from erosion or prevention of reduced fertility caused by over usage,salinization or other chemical process.

1 contour ploughing

orients furrows fellows following the contour lines the farmed area. Furrows move left and right to maintain a constant altitude .Contour ploughing can increase crop yields from 10 to 50 percent, partially as a result of greater soil retention.

2Terrace farming

It is the practice of creating nearly level areas in a hillside area. The terraces form a series of steps, each at a higher level than the previous. Terraces are protected from erosion by other soil barriers. Terraced farming is more common on small farms

3Keyline design

Keyline design  is the enhancement of contour farming, where the total watershed properties are taken into account in forming the contour lines

4 cover crops/crop rotation

Cover crops such as legumes plant, white turnips, radishes and other species are rotated with cash crops to blanket the soil year-round and act as green manure that replenishes nitrogen and other critical nutrients. Cover crops also help suppress weeds.

5 soil-conservation farming

Soil-conservation farming involves no till farming , "green manures" and other soil-enhancing practices which make it hard for the soils to be equalized. Such farming methods attempt to mimic the biology of barren lands  They can revive damaged soil, minimize erosion, encourage plant growth, eliminate the use of nitrogen fertilizer or fungicide, produce above-average yields and protect crops during droughts or flooding. The result is less labor and lower costs that increase farmers’ profits. No-till farming and cover crops act as sinks for nitrogen and other nutrients.
- NIHARIKA NANGIA

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1. Contour Plowing
Contour Plowing involves plowing grooves into the desired farmland, then planting the crop furrows in the grooves and following the contours. It a very effective way of farmland on slopes to prevent runoff and improve crop yields.
2. Terrace Farming
Terracing is a method of carving multiple, flat leveled areas into hills. Steps are formed by the terraces, which are surrounded by a mud wall to prevent runoff and hold the soil nutrients in the beds.
3. Cover Crops/ Crop Rotation
Cover crops such as turnips and radishes are rotated with cash crops to blanket the soil all year- round and produce green manure that replenishes nitrogen and other critical nutrients. Using cover crops can also suppress weeds.
4. Green Manures
Green manures are a few different crops that can be grown, not for produce or food usage, but grown in order to fertilize the farmland on which it grows. This method can improve the soil structure and suppresses the growth of weeds.
Aaratrika Ghose

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Soil and water are critical natural resources that must be kept in harmony with the environment for agroecosystems to be sustainable. Geologic erosion by wind and water has created some of the world’s most productive soils (e.g., the Indo-Gangetic Plains, Nile Delta and Loess Plateau in China), but accelerated erosion, has had drastic effects on ecosystem services and resulted in significant dissection and transformation of landscapes.Soil is the basis for sustenance for 7 billion people. It preserves clean water and helps regulate the climate. Soil degradation reduces agricultural yields and threatens farmers' livelihoods. Soil that has been leached of its nutrients cannot support crops, or plants that prevent desertificationSome methods normally adopted for soil conservation are:

Afforestation

1) Checking Overgrazing

2) Constructing Dams

3) Changing Agricultural Practices

Crop Rotation

Strip Cropping

Use of Early Maturing Varieties

Contour Ploughing

Terracing and Contour Bunding

Checking Shifting Cultivation

Ploughing the Land in Right Direction

We can save a lot of our valuable soil by bringing about certain changes in our agriculture practices.
MANYA SHRIVASTAVA