Question

Explain the factors*along with the areas* that have led the degradation of land in India.

Answer 1

1. Deforestation

2. Excessive Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides

3. Overgrazing

4 .Salination

•Quality of Irrigation Water

•Excess Use of Fertilizers

•Capillary Action

•Poor Drainage of Soil

•Salts Blown by Wind

5. Water-logging

6. Desertification

•The major causes of desertification are mismanagement of forests, overgrazing, mining and quarrying. Dr. H. Dregne has listed desertification processes as follows:

(a) Degradation of vegetative cover

(b) Water erosion

(c) Wind erosion

(d) Salinization

(e) Reduction in soil organic matter

(f) Excess of toxic substances.

7. Soil erosion

•Wind Erosion

•Water Erosion

8. Wasteland

•Wastelands are of two types:

(a) Culturable

(b) Unculturable.

9. Landslides

•They are:

(a) Deforestation in hilly areas;

(b) Excessive mining in hilly areas;

(c) Construction of dams;

(d) Infrastructure; and

(e) Means of transport, especially construction of