Context

Kuttanad, Kerala, known for idyllic backwaters, rivers, canals, and vast paddy fields, faces the alarming consequences of changing weather patterns.

• The people of the region are facing fluctuating weather patterns, alternating between torrential downpours and drought, and intrusion of saline water from the sea. 
• Another serious concern is the drinking water problem caused by water pollution, high salinity, and drought. 

About Kuttanad Wetland System

• Part of Vembanad Wetland: It is a unique wetland complex in central Kerala and is part of the larger Vembanad Kol wetland ecosystem, which is a “Ramsar Site”.
  • Vembanad Lake is one of the largest brackish-water lakes, which flows into the Lakshadweep Sea at Kochi. 

• Unique Agriculture System: Kuttanad Wetland Agriculture System is unique, as it is the only system in India that favors rice cultivation below sea level in the land created by draining delta swamps in brackish waters.
  • As an approach to cope with the imminent climate impacts in coastal areas and evolve efficient methods it aims to deal with soil availability and floods issues in agriculture.
  • Recognition: The farming system was declared a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) over a decade ago. 
• A Fragmented Landscape: The Kuttanad system is a complex mosaic of fragmented agricultural landscapes divided in three structures: 
  • Wetlands used for paddy activities and fish catching
  • Garden lands used for coconut, tubers and food crops plantation
  • Water areas used as inland fishing and shells

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

Recently, a new study suggested that Luna Crater (1.8-kilometre-wide) in Gujarat may have been caused by the largest meteorite to strike the planet in the last 50,000 years. 

The Mystery Behind Gujarat’s Luna Crater 

• Supported by: Geochemical analysis at the site showed a high proportion of iridium in the soil. 
  • It suggests that an iron meteorite probably impacted the site. 
  • Researchers also discovered other characteristics of meteors, like wüstite, kirschsteinite, hercynite and ulvöspinel.
• Unaccepted by: Some scientists argue that while geochemical analysis could seem to match, it has not yet been conclusively proven that the Luna structure is a meteor crater. 
  • To do that, the researchers will need to find super-heated rocks that melted because of the energy of the impact.

Significance of the Study

• Impact on Indus Valley civilisation (IVC): The researchers dated the meteor impact to about 4,050 years ago in the area where people from the IVC lived thousands of years ago and got impacted. 
• Severe Impacts: If it was a meteor impact, it would have created shockwaves that reached five kilometers away and wildfires that went even further. 
  • The dust thrown up by the meteor would have dimmed the Sun for many days in what is now Gujarat. 
  • It would have been equivalent to a nuclear bomb, but without the radioactive fallout.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

India is witnessing an unprecedented construction boom, with over 3,00,000 housing units manufactured annually that poses significant environmental challenges. 

Sustainable Construction Materials: Balancing Economic Growth with Environmental Sustainability

• High Energy User Sector: The building sector, a major energy consumer, accounts for over 33% of India’s electricity usage, contributing to environmental degradation and climate change. 
• Increasing Demand: Also, the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) forecasts an eight-fold increase in cooling demand between 2017 and 2037, emphasizing the need for thermal comfort while reducing active cooling demand. 
  • ICAP supports the adoption of climate-friendly alternatives and promotes energy efficiency during the hydrochlorofluorocarbons phase-out. 

Initiatives taken by the Government for Energy-Efficient Construction Sector

• The Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) and the Residential Energy Conservation Building Code. 
• The ENS introduces the Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV), a metric measuring heat transfer through a building’s envelope. 
  • Lower RETV values lead to cooler indoor environments and decreased energy usage. 
  • For optimal efficiency, improved occupant comfort, and lower utility expenses, an RETV of 15W/m2 or less is recommended. 

Optimal Construction Materials

• Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC Blocks
• Red Bricks
• Fly Ash
• Monolithic Concrete (Mivan)

RETV Evaluation for the Construction Materials

• Autoclaved Aerated Concrete or AAC Blocks: They consistently had the lowest RETV across all climatic conditions, indicating their potential as a thermally efficient material. They have lower embodied energy compared to monolithic concrete and red bricks, while still contributing to emissions and waste.
  • AAC blocks offer a better balance between embodied energy and construction time than red bricks and monolithic concrete.
    • Embodied energy is the energy associated with the manufacturing of a product. 
• Monolithic Concrete (Mivan): Despite its quick construction time, it presents the highest embodied energy (an embodied energy 75 times greater than AAC blocks), significant environmental impact, and sustainability challenges. 
  • Despite concerns about sustainability, it was favored by building developers for its speed, strength, quality, and scalability.
  • Over 60% of buildings under design and construction phases opt for it, especially in high-rise buildings and skyscrapers.
    • It offered faster construction of buildings compared to traditional masonry work, particularly for taller structures.
• Red Bricks: For estimated construction time for a 100 sq. ft room, red bricks required the longest time. 
  • They exhibit moderate embodied energy, contributing to resource depletion, emissions, and waste. 

Way Forward

• Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Collaborations with sustainability experts is a need to unlock the potential for a sustainable built environment.
  • Example: For integrated design and optimise strategies like building orientation, Window Wall Ratio (WWR), U-value (rate of heat transfer) of walls, roofs and window assemblies, glazing performance, active cooling systems, etc. 
• Innovation: Sustainable construction requires innovation from building materials manufacturers to develop cost-effective, scalable, durable, fire-resistant solutions with superior thermal performance and climate resilience.
• Knowledge and Awareness: There is a need to have more widespread knowledge about climate-appropriate design and architecture.

Conclusion

The journey toward sustainable construction is challenging but essential for a greener future. The goal can be achieved by re-imagining construction design and practices, manufacturing innovative walling materials, and fostering a culture of sustainability, resilient and energy-efficient structures that align with environmental goals and significantly improve the quality of life for the masses.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

Recently astronauts has discovered to ancient streams of stars Shiva and Shakti which are among the earliest building blocks of Milky way galaxy. 

Gaia Telescope Discovers two Ancient Streams of Stars in the Milky Way

• The European Space Agency’s Gaia has uncovered ancient star streams named Shiva and Shakti.
• This groundbreaking discovery holds immense implications for our understanding of cosmic evolution.

Shiva and Shakti Ancient Streams

• These structures, formed 12 billion years ago, influenced Milky Way formation. 
• Each stream carries the mass of about 10 million Suns.
• Shakti and Shiva share similarities, they are not identical. 
• Shakti stars orbit slightly further from the Milky Way’s center and in more circular paths than those of Shiva. 
• The streams are fittingly named after a divine couple from Hindu philosophy, symbolizing the creation of the Universe.

Gaia Space Observatory

• It is an astronomical observatory mission.
• Goal:  To create the largest, most precise three-dimensional map of the Milky Way by surveying about 1% of the galaxy’s 100 billion stars, mapping their motions, luminosity, temperature and composition.
  • This huge stellar census will provide detailed insights about the origin, structure and evolutionary history of our galaxy.
• Agency: European Space Agency
• Launched in : 2013 & Positioned in : Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange Point.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

Scientists are advocating for the adoption of Quantum Cryptography as a cutting-edge technology to safeguard sensitive communications.

Quantum Cryptography

• It is also known as Quantum encryption or Quantum Key Distribution ,refers to various cybersecurity methods for encrypting and transmitting secure data based on the naturally occurring and immutable laws of quantum mechanics.

• Working Mechanism of Quantum Cryptography:

  • Use of Photon: It uses photons (particles/waves of light) and their intrinsic properties to develop an unbreakable cryptosystem. 
    • The encryption key is determined by comparing measurements of properties from a subset of these photons. 
    • It works by the transmission of encryption keys in the form of “qubits,” also known as quantum bits, through optical fibers, analogous to bits in a binary system, ensuring high security from hacking.
  • In this process, the sender transmits photons through a polarizer with four potential polarizations and bit designations: Vertical (One bit), Horizontal (Zero bit), 45 degrees right (One bit), or 45 degrees left (Zero bit). 
  • On the receiver’s end, one of two beam splitters is utilized to discern the polarization of each incoming photon. This cycle repeats until the entire photon stream reaches the recipient. 
  • The receiver communicates to the sender the sequential use of beam splitters for photon reception. The sender cross-references this information with the sequence of polarizers employed for key transmission. 
  • Photons read using an incorrect beam splitter are disregarded, and the resulting bit sequence constitutes the encryption key.

• Advantages of Quantum Cryptography:

  • Ensuring Communication Security: 
    • It guarantees absolute security, thwarting any compromise without detection by either the sender or the recipient of the message. 
    • Information encoded within a quantum state remains impervious to replication or observation without triggering immediate notification to the concerned parties. 
  • Detects eavesdropping:  If a third party attempts to read the encoded data, then the quantum state changes, modifying the expected outcome for the users. 
  • Offers multiple methods for security: There are numerous quantum cryptography protocols used. Some, like QKD, for example, can combine with classical encryption methods to increase security.

• Limitations of Quantum Cryptography: 

  • Changes in polarization and error rates: Photons may change polarization in transit, which potentially increases error rates.
  • Range: The maximum range of quantum cryptography has typically been around 400 to 500 km, with the exception of Terra Quantum.
  • Expense: It typically requires its own infrastructure, using fiber optic lines and repeaters. 
  • Number of destinations: It is not possible to send keys to two or more locations in a quantum channel.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

India received overseas inflows totaling ₹3.33 lakh crore, equivalent to $40.4 billion, in equities, debt, and hybrid instruments combined during the current financial year, marking a record high. 

Surge in FPI Flows into India This Fiscal Year

• Investment Trend: This figure represents a 25% increase compared to the previous peak of ₹2.67 lakh crore achieved in FY21.
  • China, on the other hand, saw outflows of over $67 billion in the 12 months to December. 
  • According to reports, emerging market investors in the US are increasingly favouring exchange-traded funds that avoid exposure to China. 
• Investment in Indian Debt: Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have allocated $14.4 billion towards Indian debt, surpassing investments made in all years except FY15 and FY18. 
• Investment in Equity flows: Equity flows stood at over $25 billion, more than flows received by all other Asian markets except Japan, which received $59.5 billion. 
• Investment in hybrid instruments: $1.5 billion of FPI funds have been directed towards hybrid instruments.
• Rising Interest in government bonds:  Investors have shown increased interest in government bonds since September of the previous year, anticipating India’s potential inclusion in global bond indices. 
• Driving factors: The flows have largely been driven by the performance of our economy which has done well despite geopolitical conflicts, Covid, and rate action by the US Fed. 
  • The PLI schemes and the China plus one story had helped the cause of Indian manufacturing. 
  • The massive investment in infrastructure modernisation is helping companies in the materials, real estate and construction space. 
  • Banks now have cleaner balance sheets with low NPAs which augurs well for the economy as a whole.
• Steady growth in debt investment: An interesting feature of the foreign portfolio investment in India this fiscal is the steady growth in debt investment in sharp contrast to the volatile equity investment.

About FPI: Foreign Portfolio Investment

• About: FPI consists of securities and other financial assets held by investors in another country.  It does not provide the investor with direct ownership of a company’s assets and is relatively liquid depending on the volatility of the market. 
  • Along with foreign direct investment (FDI), FPI is one of the common ways to invest in an overseas economy. FDI and FPI are both important sources of funding for most economies.
• FPI Holdings: It can include stocks, ADRs, GDRs, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds.
• Part of BOP: On a more macro level, foreign portfolio investment is part of a country’s capital account and shown on its balance of payments (BOP). 
  • The BOP measures the amount of money flowing from one country to other countries over one monetary year.
• Passive ownership: Unlike FDI, FPI consists of passive ownership i.e., investors have no control over ventures or direct ownership of property or a stake in a company.
  • With FPI, an investor does not actively manage the investments.
  • In contrast, FDI lets an investor purchase a direct business interest in a foreign country.

Benefits of FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investment)

• Liquidity: FPI is more liquid than FDI and offers the investor a chance for a quicker return on his money—or a quicker exit.
• Feasible for Retail Investors: Foreign portfolio investments are more suited to the average retail investor.
  • FDI is more the province of institutional investors, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and companies. However, these large investors may also use.
• More Marketable: Since the FPI investments are financial assets, not the property or a direct stake in a company, they are inherently more marketable.

Difference Between Debt and Equity Investments

• About: Debt market instruments (like bonds) are loans, while equity market instruments (like stocks) are ownership in a company. 
• Returns: Debt instruments pay interest to investors, while equities provide dividends or capital gains. 
• Risk Profile: Debt instruments are generally considered safer as they offer fixed returns and have a higher claim on assets during liquidation, unlike equities.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

The cVIGIL app of Election Commission of India (ECI) received  over 99% complaints and close to 89% of these complaints have been resolved within 100 minutes. 

cVIGIL App Revolutionizes Electoral Oversight

• More than 73% of the total complaints received are against illegal hoardings and banners and close to 3% of the complaints pertain to defacement of property.
• Out of the 535 complaints received for display of firearms and intimidation, 529 have already been resolved. 1000 complaints reported were for campaigning beyond the prohibited period including use of speakers beyond permitted time. 

About cVIGIL Citizen App

• Aim: To enable citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections. 

• Features of EC’s cVigil App

  • Allows users to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
  • Provides a platform for citizens to participate in the electoral process
  • Uses GPS to track the location of the violation
  • Allows users to capture the live incidents only
  • Tracks the progress of the complaint
  • Feature to report the case of MCC violation anonymously

• Significance of EC’s cVigil App

  • It is easy to use, authentic and maintains user secrecy. 
    • User-Friendly: To report a violation, users simply need to open the app, select the type of violation, and provide details of the incident, including location, time, and photographs or videos. 
      • Users capture audios, photos or videos in real-time, and a “100-minute” countdown for time-bound response to complaints is ensured. 
    • Increase of Participation: It has also been credited with helping to increase the number of MCC violations reported during elections.
    • Technology in Politics: The app is one amongst the armory of Apps built by the Commission to leverage technology and facilitate voters and political parties.
    • A Step Towards Transparency: The app automatically enables a geo-tagging feature as soon as the user switches on their camera in the cVIGIL to report a violation. 
  • This means that flying squads could know the precise location of a reported violation, and the image captured by citizens could be used as evidence in the court of law. 

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

UNESCO’s Executive Board recently approved the inclusion of 18 new sites into the UNESCO Global Geoparks network.

UNESCO Approves 18 New Global Geoparks

• The recently designated geoparks are located in Brazil, China, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Spain.
  • Additionally, there is a new transboundary geopark stretching across Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• The recent addition of 18 new sites has increased the total number of geoparks to 213.
  • These geoparks are spread across 48 countries worldwide.

About UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

• GGN is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, established in 2004.
• Initially, it was part of UNESCO, an international organization, but in 2014, it became its own group under French law.
• GGN is the official partner of UNESCO for managing UNESCO Global Geoparks.

• Purpose and Focus

  • Networking and collaboration: GGN facilitates networking and collaboration among Global Geoparks worldwide.
    • It promotes regional networking to enhance cooperation and exchange of knowledge.
  • Establishment of geopark: Ensure fair establishment and management of Global Geoparks worldwide.
  • Purpose and function GG: Enhance understanding of the purpose and function of Geoparks.
  • Education and awareness: Educate the public on geological sciences and their environmental impact.
  • Promote sustainable development: Preserve Earth’s treasures for present and future generations  in harmony with nature.
    • Help local communities appreciate their natural and cultural heritage.
    • Foster connections between different cultures and heritage conservation.
  • Increase in R&D: Encourage research to deepen knowledge about geological features.

• Regional Networks

  • GGN operates four regional geopark networks:
    • Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN)
    • European Geoparks Network (EGN)
    • Latin America and Caribbean Geoparks Network (GeoLAC)
    • African UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (AUGGN)

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the validity of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration of non-government organizations (NGOs) and associations till June 30.

Extension of the Validity of FCRA Registration Certificates

• The Ministry has extended the validity of NGOs at least nine times since 2020 as the applications could not be processed within the stipulated time frame.

About the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)

• Foreign Contribution Regulation Act: It regulates and prohibits  the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by certain associations for any activities detrimental to the national interest.
  • The Act also prohibits the receipt of foreign funds by candidates for elections, journalists or newspaper and media broadcast companies, judges and government servants, members of the legislature and political parties or their office-bearers, and organizations of a political nature.
• Origin: The FCRA was enacted during the Emergency in 1976 amid apprehensions that foreign powers were interfering in India’s affairs by pumping money into the country through independent organizations. 
• Duration of Approval Granted: FCRA registration is valid for five years. 
  • NGOs are expected to apply for renewal within six months of the registration expiry date. In case of failure to apply for renewal, the registration is deemed to have expired.

Amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)

• FCRA Amendment 2010: Enacted to consolidate the law on utilizing foreign funds, and to prohibit their use for any activities detrimental to national interest.
• FCRA Amendment 2020: The law was amended again, giving the government tighter control and scrutiny over NGOs’ receipt and utilization of foreign funds.
• Foreign Contribution (Regulation) (Amendment) Rules, 2022: In July 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) changed FCRA rules, increasing the number of compoundable offenses under the Act from 7 to 12. 
  • The other key changes were: 
    • Exemption from intimation to the government for contributions less than Rs 10 lakh, the earlier limit was Rs 1 lakh. 
    • Increase the time limit for the intimation of the opening of bank accounts.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

With the increasingly complex and multifaceted conduct of elections, the District Election Management Plan (DEMP) can be one of the possible solutions to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.

About the District Election Management Plan (DEMP)

• District Election Management Plan (DEMP) is a comprehensive document that uses statistics and analysis to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.
• Preparation: As per the Election Commission of India, the DEMP is to be prepared at least six months before the tentative poll day. 
  • However, as the election is notified, it becomes necessary to revise the plan occasionally.
• Execution: It requires a collaborative effort involving election officials, administrative authorities, law enforcement agencies etc. 
  • Regular interactions with political parties and media are also planned to brief them on electoral rules.

Key Elements of District Election Management Plan

• District Profiling: 

  • It is the foundation of the electoral strategy which includes a political map outlining constituencies, key demographic and infrastructure statistics, a brief on the district’s administrative setup and socio-economic features.

• Availability and Accessibility of Polling Stations: 

  • The detailed strategies deal with improving the availability and accessibility of polling stations, ensuring that all stations have essential facilities like ramps, electricity, lighting, drinking water, toilets, and internet connectivity. 
  • Special attention is given to voters with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens through help desks, 24/7 control rooms, home voting options, and advanced postal ballot voting for essential service personnel. 

• Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Plan: 

  • It focuses on increasing electoral participation by analysing voter turnout data and taking actions accordingly to address these issues. 
    • It includes the use of social media, engagement with community organisations, and organising events  leading up to the poll day to increase awareness and participation.

• Force Deployment Plan (FDP): 

  • The FDP requires detailed planning in coordination with the district police, including vulnerability mapping of polling stations based on past disturbances and voter turnout. 
    • It also includes training district-level teams to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and providing a training program for all election personnel to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge.

• Material Management: 

  • It involves procuring 61 essential items, including indelible ink, seals, stamps, stationary and statutory forms. 
    • Categorisation on Procurement: These items are categorized based on the level at which they are to be procured (State/U.T. or district level), with timelines ranging from two-to-three weeks to four months before the election. 
    • Management of Other Devices: Similarly, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) management is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, with plans necessary for secure storage and availability of EVMs.
    • Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) also include plans for transportation and maintenance.

Significance of District Election Management Plan

• Enhancement of the Voting Experience: By making it more organized and accessible for everyone. 
• A Lesson for Broader Governance: Its approach of meticulous planning, collaboration and transparency offers lessons for broader governance. 
• Tackle Challenges Effective: It emphasizes the importance of advanced planning, data-driven decisions, and stakeholder collaboration to tackle challenges effectively.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context

A recent study has raised concerns about the alarming rate of soil erosion occurring in the Western Ghats Region (WGR).

Soil Erosion in Western Ghats (Gujarat): About the Study

• Methodology of the Study: The IIT-Bombay study was conducted using data from LANDSAT-8, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and rainfall records to estimate soil loss rates using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) method.

Key Findings of the Study

• Soil Erosion Statistics: 

• • The study reveals a 94% increase in soil erosion rates across the Western Ghats Region (WGR) between 1990 and 2020.
    • Tamil Nadu and Gujarat: Portions of the WGR in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat registered 121% and 119% increase in soil erosion respectively since 1990. 
    • Kerala and Karnataka: They witnessed a concerning increase of 90% and 56% respectively. 
    • Goa: It displayed equally alarming trends, with a rise of 80% in soil erosion during the study period. 
    • Maharashtra: It saw a substantial increase of 97%.

• Reason for Soil Erosion: 

  • The increasing rainfall erosivity factor during the subsequent years was a reason for the massive soil erosion.
  • Climate change and unsustainable land use are accelerating soil erosion. 
  • Urgent action is needed to minimize human impact and ramp up conservation efforts.

What is Soil Erosion?

• Soil erosion is the process by which soil is removed from the Earth’s surface by exogenetic processes such as wind or water flow, and then transported and deposited in other locations. 

Data On Soil Erosion in India

• According to the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, 146.8 million hectares, around 30% of the soil in India is degraded. 
  • Of this, around 29% is lost to the sea, 61% is transferred from one place to another, and 10% is deposited in reservoirs.
• Since the 20th century, soil degradation has accelerated due to man-made factors like mining, deforestation, overgrazing, monoculture farming, excessive tillage, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Natural Causes of Soil Erosion

• Strong Winds: Heavy winds remove dry tiny earth particles, which is a typical problem in semi-arid regions leading to desertification.
• Climate change: Abnormal rainfalls or temperature leaps destroy the field surface. It leads to stunted vegetation growth that reduces field cover and exposes it to rains and winds.
• Rainfall and Flooding: Excessive rains wash away topsoil particles, while large raindrops hit the field surface and destroy it with heavy splashes. 
  • Running currents during floods is another cause of soil erosion.
• Wildfires: Trees and shrubs slow down water run-offs. When forests or buffer zones are destroyed by wildfires, water streams have no obstacles in their way.

Anthropogenic Causes of Soil Erosion

• Unscientific Agricultural Practices:

• • Tilling or Ploughing: It increases the chances of erosion because it disturbs the natural soil surface and protective vegetation.
  • Continuous cropping: Continuous cropping of the same land and extension of cultivation of marginal and sub-marginal lands encourages soil erosion.
  • Cultivation on mountain slopes: Without appropriate land treatment measures such as bounding, terracing and trenching, it can cause soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients.
  • Monoculture: It includes the practice of planting of the same variety of crop in the field. 
  • Overgrazing: Trampling and grazing by cattle destroys the vegetation of the area.  In the absence of adequate vegetative cover the land becomes highly susceptible to both wind and water erosion.

• Economic Activities: 

  • The extraction of useful natural resources such as metals, minerals and fossil fuels etc., from the land causes serious disturbance to the land leading to soil erosion and drastic changes in the landscape.

• Developmental Activities: 

• • Soil erosion may also occur because of various developmental activities such as housing, transport, communication, recreation, etc. 

Types of Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is broadly categorized into different types depending on the agent which triggers the erosion activity. 

• Geologic Erosion: 

  • Geologic erosion sometimes referred to as natural or normal erosion represents erosion under the cover of vegetation. It includes soil as well as soil eroding processes that maintain the soil in favourable balance, suitable for the growth of most plants. 
  • The rate of erosion is so slow that the loss of soil is compensated by the formation of new soil under natural weathering processes.

• Wind Erosion: 

  • Erosion is most often witnessed in dry areas wherein strong winds brush against various landforms, cutting through them and loosening the soil particles, which are lifted and transported towards the direction in which the wind blows.  Ex-Sand dunes and mushroom rocks structures, typically found in deserts.

• Water Erosion: 

• • In water erosion, the water acts as an agent to dislodge and transport the eroded soil particle from one location to another. 

Impact of Soil Erosion

In India almost 130 million hectares of land, i.e. 45 % of total geographical surface area, is affected by serious soil erosion through gorge and gully, , cultivated wastelands, sandy areas, deserts and water logging. Its major impacts include:

• Effects of Soil Erosion on Agriculture:  

  • Eroded farmlands degrade and become unsuitable for agricultural activities. 
    • Soil organic matter content in most cropland soils of north western India and elsewhere is often less than 0.5%. This leads to low and stagnating crop yields.
    • Soil organic matter (SOM) can be defined as organic materials found in soil that are, or have been, part of living organisms.

• Losses of Topsoil:  

  • Topsoil is the richest earth’s layer with organic matter and nutrients, so its removal by water or wind worsens field fertility.
    • It can take 500 to 1,000 years for one inch of topsoil—the upper layer of soil containing the most organic matter and microorganism to form. 
    • As of 2017, the country saw an average soil erosion rate of 16.35 tonnes per hectare per year, a rate significantly higher than the 2020 global average of just 2.4 tonnes per hectare per year. 
    • Soil erosion has always occurred naturally, but today, topsoil loss from erosion due to agriculture surpasses the rate of soil formation.

• Soil Acidification: 

  • A lack of organic matter may increase field acidity, which slows down crop development and exposes farmlands to water and wind.

• Losses In Planting Material:  

  • Water streams or dust storms take away seeds from the fields and destroy seedlings, which results in crop losses and decreases farmers’ profits.

• Water Pollution: 

  • Soil erosion leads to sedimentation and contamination of water bodies with chemical substances from the fields, which, in turn, spoils the quality of irrigation water.

• Environmental Impact of Soil Erosion: 

  • Soil erosion leads to decay in aquatic inhabitants and plants, biodiversity loss, sedimentation, etc.

• Frequent Flooding Events: 

• • When forests are converted into pastures or fields, it leads to frequent flooding and these areas also lose their infiltration properties, which also contributes to flooding and waterlogging.

• Loss of Biodiversity: 

  • Eroded lands have sparse vegetation and become completely bare over time. It leads to decay in local flora and fauna leading to ecosystem imbalance.

• Reduced Greenhouse Gases Sequestration: 

  • Vegetation and trees are great carbon dioxide storage, but eroded lands can hardly support their growth. 
    • Soils could potentially sequester enough greenhouse gases in a year to equal about 5% of all annual human-made GHG emissions.

Management/ Prevention of Soil Erosion

• Crops Production On Suitable Lands: Some terrains are extremely prone to erosive processes, so they should not be used for farming without certain preventive measures to mitigate the risks. 
  • Besides, each field type requires specific management to protect soil from erosion.
• Terracing And Contour Farming: Terrace farming is used to grow crops on steep hills. Contour farming decreases soil erosion because plants absorb water and ridges stop it from flowing, which mitigates the destruction risks. 
  • Plants with strong roots also fix the land and prevent it from sliding down the slope.
• Plant Vegetation: Planting crops help prevent soil erosion by ensuring continuous ground cover, while leaving the field bare promotes erosive processes. Provide soil cover in between the growing season with crop rotation and cover crop practices. 
  • Besides, crop rotation reduces soil erosion by fixing the land with alternatively planted deep-rooted crops. Additionally, sequences of high vegetation protect fields from the wind.
  • The vegetation cover over sandy soils should be kept above 30%. Access of wind to the soil should be controlled by leaving the stubble or mulch on the soil. 
• Mulching: Mulches like straw, dried weeds, or agro textiles don’t only protect the field from rains and wind but retain soil moisture, which protects the earth from cracking. 
  • Decomposed mulches of biological origin add nutrients and organic matter to the field, boosting fertility and improving its structure.
• No-Till Or Minimum Tillage: Reduction of farmland disturbance in the no-till approach can help reduce soil erosion. When soil aggregates and ground cover remain nearly untouched, erosive processes develop slowly.
• Rotational Grazing: When livestock grazes in the same place for a long time, it eats up nearly all vegetation. In turn, ground cover loss often provokes erosion. 
  • Thus, it is important to let the grazed areas regenerate by moving the cattle to other pastures.
• Drip Irrigation: Dripping systems supply tiny water drops to plant roots at the surface or underground without any destruction risks.
• Preventing Coastal Erosion: For this,  protective vegetation along the beaches should be re-established. 
  • The dunes and the coastal system must not be disturbed. Further, construction of buildings and other development should be located behind the dune system.
• Preventing Stream Bank Erosion: For this, runoff water should be stored in the catchment by maintaining vegetation cover and as by constructing dams for storing water.

DOWNLOAD PDF