SOILS

OF
INDIA
PART II

Source :https://treesquirrel.us/soil-
aeration-de-compaction-radial-trenching
Sudeshna Ghosh 1
 SOIL EROSION
• The denudation of soil cover and its subsequent washing
away is known as soil erosion.
• CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION:
 Natural forces like wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion
 Human activities leading to soil erosion are:
– Deforestation
– Overgrazing
– Construction activities
– Mining
– Faulty method of agriculture

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 Sheet erosion
Sometimes water flows
as a sheet overlarge
areas down a slope. In
such cases the entire top
soil is washed away.

Sources:
http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=124727
https://mukegile08.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/jenis-jenis-erosi-
oleh-air/#jp-carousel-1629 3
 Gully erosion
Sometimes running water
cuts through clayey soils and
makes deep channels known
as gullies. The land becomes
unfit for cultivation and is
known as badland. In the
Chambal basin such lands
are known as ravines.

Ravines

Sources: https://mynewblogsteetburt258.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-is-soil-erosion-agents-of-soil.html 4
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-Chambal-River-in-Madhya-Pradesh-India-have-ravines
SOIL EROSION…contd.

EFFECTS:
• Loss of cultivable land.
• Reduction in soil fertility.
• Causes silting & may change river course
• Results in lots of run off
• Reduces percolation of ground water.

Source: https://media.mehrnews.com/d/2017/11/11/4/2632428.jpg

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 SOIL CONSERVATION
• Soil conservation is the protection of soil from erosion and
other types of deterioration, so as to maintain soil fertility
and productivity.

• MEASURES OF SOIL CONSERVATION:

 Contour ploughing
 Terrace cultivation
 Strip cropping
 Planting of shelter belts
 Afforestation
 Controlled grazing
 Crop rotation

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 CONTOUR PLOUGHING
A contour is an imaginary line
joining all places having the
same height above sea level. In
the pictures provided the lines of
plants grown across the slope
of the land are along contours.

Ploughing along the contour

lines decelerates the flow of
water and encourages
infiltration /seepage of
water into the soil thus
preventing soil erosion.

Sources: http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=1920; http://it.tetratech-

ffx.com/steplweb/STEPLmain_files/BestManagementPracticesDefinitions.pdf 7
 TERRACING

Steps can be cut on slopes to make terraces. Terracing reduces

the speed of run-off (running water) flowing down slope and
encourages infiltration. This restricts soil erosion. Western and
central Himalayas have well developed terrace farming.
Source: https://www.tripoto.com/india/trips/10-picturesque-terrace-farms-that-are-perfect-for-your-instagram-profile-
5c759c16bf79e/media/ef163bef35ebb07dbebb81fc5f6906a1 8
 STRIP CROPPING

Large fields can be divided into strips. Different crops

may be sown in alternate strips or crops may be
grown alternating with strips of grass. This covers
the entire field and helps to prevent soil erosion.
Source :https://nwa.mah.nic.in/sdmc/irrigation/09_way_forward.htm

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 PLANTING OF SHELTER BELTS

A “shelter belt” is defined as a barrier of trees

and shrubs. They are also referred to as
“windbreaks”. They are usually planted to protect
a particular area, such as a farm field or garden,
from damage that is caused by wind or erosion.
Source: https://hedging.ie/benefits-of-planting-shelterbelt-trees/
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 OTHER METHODS

AFFORESTATION:
Planting of trees help to
prevent soil erosion as
roots of the trees hold
the soil and trees
reduce the speed of
running water and
encourage seepage.

CONTROLLED GRAZING: Overgrazing causes total removal of grass

cover and the soil is exposed to agents of weather like wind, rainfall etc.
So control on grazing helps to retain some grass cover as a protection and
soil erosion is prevented.

CROP ROTATION helps in preserving the fertility of the soil as growing

different crops which need different nutrients helps the soil to replenish the
nutrient used up by the previous crop.
Source: https://hedging.ie/benefits-of-planting-shelterbelt-trees/
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 WORKSHEET 2:
APPLICATION BASED QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions in a file paper:

1. Which is more damaging – sheet erosion or gully

erosion? Why?

2. Why do you think soil conservation is important? (one

reason). Suggest one measure you would adopt to grow
paddy on hill slopes and explain why you chose this
method.

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 Make an EXIT CARD on Soil Resources
(You may refer to both ppts on Soil and use coloured paper)

Thank you ! 13