(a) whether any study has been conducted to ascertain the primary reasons for soil erosion in various parts of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether about 45 per cent of the country’s total geographical area is affected by land degradation due to soil erosion;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether there are any permissible limit of erosion in the country; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to reclaim the degraded land?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The major causes of soil erosion are deforestation, overgrazing, forest encroachment, shifting cultivation, extension of cultivation to marginal lands, developmental activities like mining & road construction and lack of proper soil conservation practices.
(c) & (d): According to the latest estimates, based on harmonized database, about 29% (95 m ha) of total geographical area of the country is affected by land degradation due to soil erosion.
(e) & (f): Yes, Madam. The Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI) has estimated that about 32%, 26%, 19%, 5% and 7% area in the country is having permissible soil erosion limit of 12.5, 10, 7.5, 5 and 2.5 ton per hectare per year, respectively. The institute has developed several location specific bio-engineering measures to reclaim degraded land, based on which the GOI has launched massive watershed development programmes in the country under various schemes namely Integrated Wasteland Development
Programme (IWDP), National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) etc.
during different Plan periods. The institute also organizes regular training courses for
field functionaries and farmers on participatory watershed management.