Question

Suggest suitable measures for controlling land degradation.

Answer 1

Hint:
i) Biophysical factors such as an area's natural topography, rainfall, wind, and temperature, as well as inappropriate land management activities such as deforestation and soil nutrient extraction, can all contribute to land degradation.
ii) Deforestation, livestock overgrazing, agricultural land mismanagement, overexploitation of vegetative cover for domestic use, and (bio)industrial activities are all human-caused land degradation.

Complete answer:
Land degradation:
Land degradation is a mechanism in which a combination of human-induced processes operating on the land reduces the value of the biophysical climate. It is defined as any alteration or disturbance to the land that is deemed harmful or undesirable. Natural disasters aren't considered a factor, but human activity may have an indirect impact on events like floods and bushfires.

Causes of land degradation:
- Clear Cutting and deforestation are examples of land clearing.
- Agricultural soil nitrogen loss due to inadequate agricultural practices.
- Overgrazing and over drafting are two issues for livestock.
- Irrigation that isn't necessary and over drafting.
- Commercial growth and urban sprawl.
- Off-roading with a truck.
- Stone, sand, ore, and mineral quarrying.
- Non-biodegradable trash, such as plastics, is dumped.
- Species that have become invasive.
- Climate change is a reality.
- Carbon loss in the soil.

The following actions will aid in the resolution of the issue of land degradation:
- Deforestation is being replaced with reforestation.
- Grazing on permanent pastures should be managed properly.
- After treatment, proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents.
- Shelter belts are being planted.
- Mining operations are under control.
- Over-irrigation should be avoided, particularly in dry areas.
- Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided.

Note:
i) Land degradation, or soil that is unfit for agriculture, is a serious problem in India. Around 29% of the land, or 96.4 million hectares, is considered degraded. To combat this danger, India plans to transform nearly 50 lakh (5 million) hectares of degraded land to fertile land over the next ten years (between 2021 and 2030).
ii) Due to the consequences of land loss on agricultural production, the climate, and food security, this is considered a significant issue for the twenty-first century. Up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is projected to be severely degraded.