Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

   • Define soil degradation and its significance.
   • Mention the extent of the problem in India (29.7% of land degraded as per ISRO Atlas, 2021).

2. Causes of Soil Degradation

   • Heavy Metal Pollution
     • Source: Industrial activities such as mining and waste dumping.
   • Climate Change and Natural Disasters
     • Impact of excessive rainfall and disasters like droughts and floods.
   • Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
     • Mention specific practices: excessive tillage, crop residue burning, overuse of agrochemicals.
   • Deforestation
     • Effects of tree removal on soil structure and nutrient availability.
   • Urbanization
     • Impact on soil from construction and vegetation removal.

3. Measures to Tackle Soil Pollution

   • Soil Health Card Scheme
     • Provides farmers with nutrient status and fertilizer recommendations.
   • Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
     • Promotes organic farming to reduce chemical usage.
   • PM Krishi Sinchayi Yojana
     • Focus on irrigation efficiency and soil moisture retention.
   • National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and Green India Mission (GIM)
     • Aims for afforestation to combat erosion.
   • Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana
     • Enhances soil fertility and productivity.

4. Conclusion

   • Emphasize the importance of addressing soil degradation for sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation.
   • Mention the goal of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, contributing to carbon sequestration.

Relevant Facts

1. Extent of Soil Degradation:
   • “Around 29.7% of land is degraded in India” (ISRO Atlas, 2021).
2. Nutrient Loss:
   • “Approximately 3.7 million hectares suffer from nutrient loss in soil” (Source: ISRO Atlas).
3. Impact of Heavy Metals:
   • “Industrial activities like mining, manufacturing, and e-waste dumping lead to heavy metal contamination” (Source: Environmental Studies).
4. Climate Change Effects:
   • “Changing weather patterns cause excessive rainfall and floods that erode topsoil” (Source: Climate Reports).
5. Agricultural Practices:
   • “Overuse of agrochemicals causes soil acidification and reduces organic matter” (Source: Agricultural Research Journals).
6. Deforestation Impact:
   • “Deforestation reduces humus and litter layers, affecting soil health” (Source: Forestry Studies).
7. Urbanization Issues:
   • “Urban development results in soil compaction and increased runoff” (Source: Urban Ecology Research).
8. Government Initiatives:
   • “The Soil Health Card Scheme aims to improve soil health management” (Source: Government Reports).
   • “The target to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030” (Source: National Policy on Land Degradation).