Question

Give reasons for the following.

The Shivalik region has been increasingly affected by soil erosion in the recent past.

Answer 1

1. Steep slopes combined with heavy monsoon downpours runoff on these slopes easily strips the thin topsoil.
2. Removal of vegetation (deforestation for agriculture, roads, railways and buildings) and loss of root-binding and surface protection increases sheet, rill and gully erosion.
3. Overgrazing continuous grazing removes grass cover, exposing soil to wind and water erosion.
4. Shifting/slash-and-burn cultivation (jhumming) repeated clearing leaves slopes bare and vulnerable to rapid washing away by rains.
5. Poor agricultural practices (ploughing up-and-down slopes, lack of contour/terrace farming) these increase runoff velocity and soil loss.
6. Construction-related disturbance (roads, rail lines, embankments, urban expansion) earthworks destabilize slopes and produce loose, erodible material.
7. Population pressure and increased land use greater demand for land leads to more forest clearance and marginal cultivation on vulnerable slopes.
8. Inadequate soil-conservation measures (insufficient afforestation, terracing, check-walls) absence of prevention accelerates progression from sheet to rill and gully erosion.