Q. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?

  1. Terrace cultivation
  2. Deforestation
  3. Tropical climate

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 2 only

Soil erosion
  • Soil erosion is the removal of the topmost fertile layer of the soil through wind or water.
  • Causes of Soil Erosion:
    • Over-grazing, Deforestation, Action of wind, water, glacier, etc.
    • Topography i.e steep slopes & heavy rainfall;
    • Faulty methods of agriculture like over-irrigation, shifting agriculture, etc;
    • Anthropogenic factors like mining, industrial activities, etc.
Terrace farming
  • Terrace farming, contour ploughing, etc are the measures to control soil erosion. 
  • Terrace farming is an agricultural practice farmers employ on steep slopes, hilly areas, and higher altitudes.
  • Terrace farmers construct successive layers of flat areas on mountainsides or other terrains with steep inclines to better control soil conservation and runoff water.
  • These levels look like staircase steps and create more apparent segments of arable land without harming the surrounding ecosystem.
  • Advantages of Terrace Farming
    • Improved land productivity: Without terrace farming, much of a hillside would be unusable as farmland. Terrace farming makes these areas fertile.
    • Increased food security: Terracing gives farmers more control over the land they till and the water it receives. This increases food security by guaranteeing safer growing conditions.
    • Maximized crop production: Runoff can go to the base of a mountain, but terraces prevent the water from moving beyond a single layer. This puts the water to better use and maximizes crop production.
    • Prevention of soil erosion: Rainfall takes soil with it, leading to erosion. Terrace farming mitigates the effects of erosion by slowing water runoff and trapping it in individual layers along the incline.
Deforestation
  • Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then converted to non-forest use.
  • Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated deforestation occurs in tropical rainforests.
  • About 31% of Earth’s land surface is covered by forests at present.