Question.
Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation.
(NCERT class 12 geography, India People and Economy, Chapter-12: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems)
Answer.
The decline in the quality of agricultural land is called land degradation. Land degradation results in a temporary or permanent decline in the productive capacity of the land.
Indiscriminate exploitation of land resources leads to land degradation. Land degradation occurs as a result of the continuous use of land over a long period of time without taking proper measures to enrich the fertility and manage the land.
Soil erosion, waterlogging, salinization, alkalinity, and growing one crop for a long time are the main causes of land degradation. If land degradation is not reduced, fertile land will be converted into barren land.
Following are the measures to reduce land degradation:
Some human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining, and quarrying activities are mostly responsible for land degradation; By identifying and controlling these activities, land degradation will be reduced.
Afforestation and planting of shelter belts, and stabilization of sand dunes will reduce land degradation.
In rainfed areas, intensive irrigation practices cause water logging in the soil, which increases the salinity in the soil, which is the reason for land degradation. In Punjab and Haryana, land degradation is occurring due to intensive irrigation and waterlogging. Drip and sprinkle irrigation methods are needed in these areas and the problem of land degradation can be reduced by growing crops growing in less water.
Some mineral processing industries such as limestone grinding, cement industries, and thermal power plants generate heavy dust which degrades the land. Using the latest technology to reduce dust emissions will reduce land degradation.
Proper disposal of industrial waste and reducing water pollution will reduce land degradation.
Watershed management improves the quality of land, water, and vegetation and improves the quality of life of the people. Watershed management has improved the quality of land in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh.
Planting fodder grass on pasture and barren land will reduce land degradation.
Growing the same type of crop in the field for many years leads to the deficiency of selected nutrients in the soil which causes land degradation, it should be avoided.
Growing thorny shrubs in sandy soils can prevent soil erosion due to desertification.
Instead of fertilizers and chemical pesticides, using vegetable and organic manure and bio-pesticides will enrich the soil fertility and there will be no land degradation.
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