Soil Conservation: Soil is a fundamental natural resource. Soil formation is a slow process, but it is easily lost by soil erosion. In fact, more soil is being lost each year than nature makes. Soil erosion must be checked. Sound farming practices and measures be adopted to conserve, protect, renew and maintain soil fertility.
These methods constitute soil conservation:
1. Afforestation: In some areas, the original vegetation cover has been removed such as in Shiwalik hills. In such areas afforestation and reforestation is needed to hold the soil. Advance of deserts can be checked by planting trees along the margins of deserts.
2. Controlled grazing: The number of cattle to be grazed on slopes should be according to the carrying capacity of the pastures.
3. Terraced agriculture: Slopes must be cut into a series of terraces (fields) for the cultivation so as to slow down the flow of rain water.
4. Contour Ploughing: It is done to check soil wash on slopes. Ploughing is done at right angles to the hill slopes.
5. Crop rotation: Crop rotation system be applied and the land should be allowed fallow for some time. Soil fertility can be maintained in this way.
