(a) whether the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute has warned
of the dangers of rapid loss of prime agricultural land due to soil erosion;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Nearly 44% of the total area in the country has erosion rates more
than the permissible limit of 10 tonnes/ha/year. Accordingly, over 5.3 billion tonnes of soil
and around 8.4 million tonnes of plant nutrients are lost every year through water erosion.
Rough estimates show agricultural loss from soil erosion to the tune of Rs. 5200-8400 crores
per annum.
(c) The Government is implementing location specific erosion control measures developed by
Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun through different
integrated watershed management programmes run by various agencies.