Question.
What is soil degradation?
(Chapter 6 Soils, Class 11 NCERT geography "India Physical Environment")
Answer.
The decline in soil fertility is called soil degradation. Soil degradation occurs due to the loss of nutrients in the soil. Soil degradation reduces the productivity of the crop. Soil degradation is mainly caused by erosion, intensive agriculture, desertification, mining, and overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Along with reducing the fertility of the soil, erosion also reduces the thickness of the soil.
The main reason for the depletion of soil resources in India is soil degradation, due to which we can see soil degradation in many areas in India. There is regional variation in the cause and intensity of soil degradation in India.
For example,
The soil fertility of Punjab and Haryana has declined due to excessive irrigation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The soil of eastern Rajasthan is getting degraded due to two reasons – erosion and desertification by the winds.
Soil degradation in the plateau region of India occurs due to soil erosion due to mining.
Soil degradation in the forest area of India is caused by deforestation and forest fires.
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