Context:
New World Soil Health Index announced by UNESCO
World Soil Health Index:
Objective – To standardise measure for analysing and comparing soil quality in different regions and ecosystems, and identify trends of degradation or improvement.
Soil Degradation:
- Change in soil health, resulting in diminished capacity of ecosystem to provide goods and services.
- Status – According to World Atlas of Desertification, 75% of land is already degraded
- Scenario in India – Around 32% of land is under degradation and 25% is undergoing desertification.
- Causes – Unsustainable Agricultural Practices, Deforestation, Industrial Pollution etc.
- Impacts –
- Reduced soil fertility leading to decline in agriculture output.
- Releases stored carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions
- Decrease in soil organisms affecting nutrient cycling and pest control
Global and National Initiatives to prevent Soil Degradation:
- Global Land Degradation Neutrality under UNCCD.
- Bonn Challenge to restore 350 million hectares degraded and deforested landscapes by 2030.
- Global Soil Partnership Action Plan 2022-2030 by FAO.
- Land Use and Land Cover Atlas of India – Released by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
- India Soil Health Card Scheme.
- Organic Farming Initiatives like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Source: Down To Earth
Previous Year Question
Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?
1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct. These soils are poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium while iron oxide and potash are in excess.
Statement 3 is not correct. The laterite soils are commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Odisha and Assam.
