Soil Pollution in India: Causes, Effects, Government Schemes & Sustainable Solutions

Explore causes and effects of soil pollution in India and its impact on agriculture, health, and the environment. Learn about key government schemes like SHC, PM-PRANAM, and sustainable practices to combat land degradation and restore soil health.

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Soil pollution is a chemical degradation process that consumes fertile soils, with implications for global food security and human health. As per the 2019-20 Soil Health Survey conducted by the Indian government, 55 percent of the country’s soil is deficient in nitrogen, 42 percent in phosphorus and 44 percent in organic carbon.

Causes of Soil Pollution

It is pollution caused by (i) pesticides, herbicides, and fumigants (ii) chemical fertilizers and 

(iii) Air pollutants washed down from atmosphere through rain

Effects of Soil Pollution

  • Agricultural:  Reduced soil fertility, Reduced nitrogen fixation, Increased erodibility, Reduced crop yield
  • Industrial:  Dangerous chemicals entering underground water 
  • Ecological imbalance: Release of pollutant gases, Increased salinity,  Reduced vegetation
  • Urban: Clogging of drains, Inundation of areas, Public health problems, Pollution of drinking water sources,
  • Foul smell and release of gases, Waste management problem

Government Measures to Address Soil Pollution

The components include making soil chemical-free, saving soil biodiversity, enhancing SOM, maintaining  soil moisture, mitigating soil degradation and preventing soil erosion.

  • Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme: Which assess the current status of soil health and guides farmers to make necessary soil amendments.
  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: To prevent soil erosion, regeneration of natural vegetation, rainwater harvesting and recharging of the groundwater table.
  • National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture to promote sustainable agriculture practices.
  • PM-PRANAM Scheme:  To reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by incentivizing states to adopt alternative fertilizers.
  • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): To produce agricultural products free from chemicals and pesticides residues by adopting eco- friendly, low- cost technologies

Way Forward

  • Reusing of materials Glass containers, plastic bags, paper, fabric, and other materials can be reused at home rather than disposed of, minimising solid waste pollution. 
  • Recycling and recovery of materials: Paper, various types of plastics, and glass can all be recycled, and they are. 
  • Reforesting:  Land loss and soil erosion can be slowed by restoring forest and grass cover, which helps to prevent wastelands, soil erosion, and floods.
  • Crop rotation or mixed cropping can help to increase soil fertility.
  • The proper strategies for managing solid waste disposal should be used. 

SDG target 15 on land degradation neutrality mentions, by 2030 to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

Soil Pollution in India: Causes, Effects, Government Schemes & Sustainable Solutions FAQs

Soil pollution is caused by pesticides, chemical fertilizers, industrial waste, and pollutants washed down from the atmosphere.

It reduces soil fertility, crop yield, nitrogen fixation, and increases soil erosion.

A government initiative that assesses soil health and guides farmers on necessary soil amendments.

Contaminated soil pollutes groundwater and food, causing health risks like diseases and toxic exposure.

Practices include chemical-free farming, crop rotation, reforestation, recycling, and waste management.


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