(a) whether the problem of soil erosion caused by rivers is worsening day-by-day in various regions of the country;
(b) if so, the details in this regard, Statewise;
(c) the names of the rivers which are eroding soil; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to check the soil erosion?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (c) The soil erosion by river flows is governed by a host of factors like geological nature of formation of river beds, regional propensity to frequent flooding, intensity of rainfall, density of forest cover in the catchments, habitation oriented activities of construction, mining etc. Details of state-wise, river-wise information are, however, not separately maintained in this Ministry.
(d) The problem of soil erosion is addressed through various measures by the Government which include watershed management in degraded catchments, assisting the States for protection of embankments of rivers, afforestation of catchments and regulating developmental activities in river banks. The National Afforestation Programme Scheme of the Ministry also has inbuilt components of water harvesting and soil moisture regeneration works to retard the soil erosion.