Land Degradation | Causes, Effects, and Solutions | Resources and Development | Class 10 Geography

[0:00]Hello students. Welcome to Top Scholars. In this video, we are going to know about what land degradation is. Land degradation, as defined by the UNCCD, refers to the loss of biological or economic productivity of land due to human activities or land uses. In 2018, a study by ISRO's Space Application Center revealed that 30% of India's total area or 96 million hectares was experiencing degradation, 0.58% increase from 2003 to 2005. Land degradation is the degradation of land quality and productivity due to factors that hinder its capacity to support vegetation and agricultural activities. It is a global issue, causing soil erosion 100 times faster than natural processes. Over 3.2 billion people have been affected by land degradation, with 90% of land is expected to bear our impact by 2050. This degradation disrupts rainfall patterns and extreme weather and drives climate change. It also leads to social and political instability, causing poverty, conflict, and migration. Most of the world's population will feel the impacts of land degradation. So let us know some of the causes of land degradation. First cause is overgrazing. Overgrazing can lead to various issues, including excessive livestock pressure, soil compaction, and loss of vegetation cover. Overgrazing consumes more vegetation than land can regenerate, reduces soil's water and nutrient absorption capacity, and exposes soil to erosion. In India, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, overgrazing is one of the main causes of land degradation. The next cause of land degradation is deforestation. We know that forests are vital for soil fertility and nutrient retention as they shed leaves and help bind soil particles. Excessive tree cutting reduces green cover and soil quality, leading to land degradation and a decrease in green cover. In states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, deforestation due to mining has caused severe land degradation. The next cause of land degradation is over-irrigation. Over irrigation and water logging in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh are contributing to land degradation due to increased salinity and alkalinity in soil. The continuous use of land without proper conservation measures has resulted in land degradation, as the soil's salinity and alkalinity increase due to prolonged over-irrigation. The next cause is mineral processing, like the grinding of limestone for the cement industry and calcite and soapstone for the ceramic industry, which generates a huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere. It retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil after it settles down on the land. In recent years, industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and water pollution in many parts of the country. Then, there are the agricultural practices. India's agriculture consumes 141 million hectares of land, and inadequate land and water management leads to soil degradation. Intensive irrigation and extensive chemical use, including fertilizers and pesticides, worsen the problem by degrading agricultural grounds, natural quality, and fertility. Next is the industrialization. A country's industrialization can lead to excessive deforestation and land consumption, causing the country to lose its natural upgrading quality. This is due to the development of industries for economic growth, which can result in the loss of natural resources. Lastly, is urbanization. Economic development has led to the expansion of urban and industrial land, often on agricultural land. This has resulted in the encroachment of forest areas and wetlands. Rapid urbanization, particularly in coastal areas, has caused land degradation. Population growth and the demand for residential and commercial sectors are also contributing factors to land degradation. Now, let us know some of the measures that can be taken to solve the issues related to land degradation. Afforestation and proper management of grazing can help to some extent. Planting shelter belts helps check the sand causing land degradation near the deserts. Stabilizing dunes with thorny shrubs can also help slow land deterioration. Overgrazing can be effectively monitored and prevented. The proper disposal and discharge of industrial effluents. Control mining activities to prevent land damage and fill any existing scars. The proper management of wasteland can be effectively implemented. With this, we come to the end of this session. Let us try to answer the following questions. One, what is land degradation? Two, what steps can be taken to ensure soil conservation? Three, what are the causes of land degradation? Four, what measures can be taken to solve the issue of land degradation? Five, how is land a crucial resource? We hope you understood well and learned something new today. For more such videos, do follow us. Thank you and happy learning.