Highlighting the reasons behind widespread soil degradation in India, discuss the various steps undertaken to address the problem of soil pollution.

Soil degradation is in the physical, chemical, biological decline in soil quality due to its influence on poor management for agriculture, industrial or urban purposes. • The issue is important as half of Indian population lives on agriculture & allied industries. • United Nations to Combat Desertification has set various targets to tackle & result of soil degradation. Restoration of 150 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. Reasons behind widespread soil degradation: 1) Excessive fertilizer use: Subsidies on fertilizers have led to extensive use of fertilizers leading to soil degradation. 2) Heavy metal pollution: Due to fertilizer use, mining, manufacturing, mineral extraction, dumping industrial waste, chemical spills & e-waste. 3) Excessive water over-irrigation: Alkalisation, beds washed off minerals. 4) Mono-Cropping: nutrient depletion. 5) No gap between crops: no time given to soil to restore its nutrient capacity. 6) Use of pesticides.

Continuation: 7) Deforestation: Forests help in preventing soil erosion, there help maintain soil cover for agricultural activities. Increased deforestation due to rapid urbanization for forest, for increasing agricultural land. 8) Urbanization: Removing vegetation covers, compacting soil during construction & altering drainage patterns. Impermeable concrete causing increases surface runoff by topsoil erosion. 9) Improper disposal of waste: Plastic, heavy metals. Toxic chemicals cause soil degradation if garbage is not disposed properly. Steps taken to address soil pollution: 1) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchiai Yojana: Per drop more crops - promoting irrigation efficiency to prevent wastage of water & prevent wastage of water to prevent wastage of water by Present management of water by saving soil degradation. 2) Kadhan Mantri Jaiviparigat Krishi Yojane: Low-cost organic farming. Mission - organic value chain development for North Eastern Region. 3) National Afforestation programme: Exclusive afforestation to control soil erosion.

Continuation: 4) National Green Mission: 5) Rashtriya Krushi Vigyan Yojana: Protects the loss of top soil, Improving soil fertility, enhancing crop productivity of soils & the ecosystem as a whole. 6) Soil Health Card: Provides every farmers a soil nutrient status of his land & dosage of fertilizers to be maintained. 7) Mangroves initiative for shortline habitat - Tangible theories - to restore mangrove which help in preventing saline water to enter agricultural land near coastal area. 8) Education & Awareness Among Farmers regarding effective farming practices. 9) Research & Development in ensuring cropping patterns, seeds which require lesser fertilizers usage, etc.