Soil Erosion and Policy Initiatives in India

Though soil erosion is a natural phenomenon, the rate of erosion has been increased 10 to 100 times because of land conversion (e.g. land conversion from forest to agriculture) and land management (overgrazing, expansion of cultivation). However, behind this land transformation some, socio-cultural and policy decision acts as drivers. Ancient humans had a good knowledge to prevent soil erosion through terracing even 4000 years ago. The decline of civilizations has been closely linked with the degradation of their resources particularly deforestation, accelerated soil erosion and the decline of crop yields. Historical evidences are crucial and provide alternative proxies about soil erosion in the past. Among the various factors, it is portrayed that natural situations, cultural traditions and socio-economic, and governance played a major role in the dynamics and rates of soil erosion in a long-term perspective. Ensuring harmony and keeping balance with nature is a great challenge in a democratic polity with a fast-expanding market economy.