The wearing away (due to the action of winds) and washing down of soil cover (due to running water) is known as soil erosion. 5 Methods to Prevent Soil Erosion are as follows
Methods to Prevent Soil Erosion
- Contour Ploughing: When one ploughs along the contour lines, it is called contour ploughing. It decreases the flow of water down the slopes and thus helps in soil conservation.
- Terrace Farming: When steps are cut out on the slopes of the hills making terraces, it reduces soil erosion.
- Strip Cropping: When strips of grass are grown between the strips of crops, they are known as strip cropping. It breaks down the speed of winds.
- Shelter Belts: When trees are planted in a row, it breaks the force of the winds. This method has proved very useful in the station of dunes in the deserts of western India.
- Plugging of Gullies: The gullies made in the soil are plugged with deposition of silt during heavy rainfall. Soil conservation is required to prevent the loss of soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Soil erosion may also increase the risks of droughts and floods. Landslides also occur because of deforestation and soil erosion.
Soil conservation programmes in India
In India, many programmes have been undertaken to prevent soil erosion.
- An integrated watershed management programme was launched during the Sixth Plan in flood-prone rivers. The programme enhances the ability of the catchment by absorbing rainwater and reducing erosion.
- A scheme for reclamation and development of the ravine areas was launched in 1987–88 in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The scheme included afforestation and reclamation of ravines.
- The scheme was also launched for controlling shifting cultivation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Assam.
- National Project on Development and Use of Bio fertilizers and National Project on Quality Control were implemented during the Seventh Five Year Plan. It aimed at balancing the use of fertilizers.
Also, Read Soils in India