Question

The primary drivers of land degradation are water and wind erosion, which affect 94.87 million hectares of land in India (ICAR, 2010).

Write short notes on any two ways that land degradation occurs by the action of water.

Answer 1

1. Sheet Erosion: Sheet erosion occurs when a thin layer of the fertile topsoil is washed away uniformly by running rainwater over a large area. This gradually reduces the fertility of the soil.
2. Gully Erosion: Gully erosion occurs when running water cuts deep and wide channels called gullies in the soil. It removes large quantities of fertile soil and makes the land unsuitable for cultivation.