PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
At a time when maintaining soil productivity is essential to meet the nation’s requirements sustainably with limited natural resources, soil erosion remains a major challenge with gross annual soil erosion being estimated at about 5.11 billion tonnes.
Addressing the media here on Thursday, the ICAR- Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC) director Bhagwati Prasad Bhatt said that ignoring soil conservation will result in a drop in the soil’s productivity at a time when the nation is aiming to at least double its production in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry by 2047.
Stating that the gross annual soil erosion of the country is estimated to 5.11 billion tonnes, he said that 34.1 per cent of this is deposited in reservoirs, 22.9 per cent is discharged to oceans and 43 per cent is displaced within the mainland. Further, the annual losses due to water erosion were estimated for rainfed cereals, oilseeds and pulses at Rs 29,200 crore. Similarly, soil loss resulting in loss of nutrients is estimated to be valued at Rs 38,540 crore to Rs 45,410 crore (2020 price).
Bhatt said that the institute along with its eight regional research centres is playing a major role in addressing these challenges through integrated research, technology development, capacity building and policy support in soil and water conservation along with watershed management. “We have developed and demonstrated scientifically validated technologies and decision-support systems for erosion control, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharging, land restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems. These interventions have resulted in measurable reductions in soil loss and runoff, improvements in soil moisture and water availability, enhanced agricultural productivity and strengthened farmers’ incomes while also contributing to ecosystem restoration and climate resilience,” he said.
Bhatt further said that the institute is proactively conducting research and implementing various projects to address the various issues under its purview in Uttarakhand and elsewhere in the country.
In addition to being involved in various projects in Uttarakhand, the institute has also demonstrated interventions which have been successful in encouraging reverse migration in some places. Institute scientists pointed out that erosion is a major issue in Uttarakhand too where it is exacerbated by the mountain slopes, lack of control measures and inadequate land management. Factors like change in the land use sans control measures, change in vegetation and erratic rainfall patterns are causing the natural springs to dry out.
