Topic: Environment Conservation
Q3. The price of India’s development is evident in the degradation of its soil. How can India achieve a balance between development and preventing soil degradation? (15M)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: DTE
Why the Question?
The United Nations celebrates December 5 as World Soil Day every year to commemorate the birthday of the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej for his lifelong commitment to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable soil management and rehabilitation for food security, poverty alleviation and more.
Key Demand of the question:
To mention the challenges posed by soil degradation due to development in India and suggest measures for achieving a balance between development and preventing further soil degradation.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction: Briefly highlight the issue of soil degradation in India, and give its status (E.g., A little over half of its soil is affected by varying degrees of degradation)
Body:
Mention the challenges faced by the country in achieving sustainable development while preventing soil degradation.
Propose measures that can help strike a balance between development goals and soil conservation. You may mention a few of these points:
Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and organic farming, helps maintain soil fertility by reducing nutrient depletion and minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. Afforestation, reforestation, and initiatives like India’s Green India Mission contribute to stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, and restoring ecological balance. Composting organic waste improves soil fertility while reducing dependence on pesticides and supports healthy and sustainable food systems. Wastewater and stormwater management, along with strict land use policies,
Conclusion:
Suggest what more can be done to help India secure its soil resource
