Maarg Manthan · Topic 10.14

Soil Conservation Measures

Environment & Ecology › Land, Forest and Soil Resources · Topic 10.14

Soil conservation means protecting soil from erosion and loss of fertility through practices that keep it covered, hold it in place and improve its structure. Mechanical or engineering methods include contour bunding, terracing, trenching and gully plugging with check dams on slopes. Agronomic or biological methods include contour ploughing, strip cropping, crop rotation, mixed and cover cropping, mulching, green manuring, conservation or zero tillage and agroforestry. Forestry measures include afforestation of slopes and catchments, shelterbelts and windbreaks to reduce wind erosion, and sand dune stabilisation with grasses and shrubs. Land and water management methods include proper drainage, gypsum for alkali soils, efficient irrigation, rotational grazing and watershed management on a whole-catchment basis. In India, the work is led by state soil conservation departments, the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute at Dehradun, and the watershed component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Land, Forest and Soil Resources

At a Glance

Slope methods Contour bunds, terraces
Cropping methods Strip, rotation, cover
Wind control Shelterbelts
Gully control Check dams
Whole catchment Watershed
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Land, Forest and Soil Resources

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the causes of erosion and gives the main remedies. It leads to the Soil Health Card Scheme and organic farming, which build soil health. Previous topic: Soil Erosion and Problems Due to Excessive Irrigation. Next topic: Soil Health Card Scheme.

Which Methods Conserve Soil?

Method	How it works and where used
Contour ploughing	Ploughing and planting along contour lines across the slope so rows trap runoff; used on gentle slopes
Terracing	Steps cut into hill slopes to slow runoff; used widely in Himalayan, north-east and Western Ghats hills
Contour bunding	Earth bunds along contours that hold water and soil on low slopes
Strip cropping	Alternating strips of row crops and close-growing crops, or grass, across a slope
Mulching	Covering soil with straw or leaves to reduce splash, runoff and evaporation
Shelterbelts and windbreaks	Rows of trees to reduce wind speed in arid areas like Rajasthan and Gujarat
Check dams and gully plugging	Small barriers of stone, brush or concrete that slow gully flow and trap silt

Which Farm and Land Practices Help?

Crop rotation: rotating cereals with legumes keeps fertility and cover
Cover crops and green manure: protect soil between main crops and add organic matter
Zero tillage: seed drilled without ploughing, retaining crop residue
Agroforestry: trees on farms bind soil and give fodder and fuel
Rotational grazing: keeps pasture cover
Drainage and gypsum: manage waterlogged and alkali soils
Efficient irrigation: drip and sprinkler cut runoff and salts
Watershed management: treat the whole catchment from ridge to valley

What Else Should You Remember?

Engineering methods: build structures such as bunds, terraces and check dams
Biological methods: use plants and farm practices to hold soil
Bench terraces: flat steps for crops on steep slopes
Contour trenches: trenches that catch rain and recharge groundwater
Gabion structures: wire cages filled with stones used to stabilise gullies
Grassed waterways: grass-lined channels that carry runoff safely
Live hedges: rows of shrubs or grasses along contours
Vetiver grass: deep-rooted grass planted in lines to hold soil on slopes
Mulch benefits: also cut weed growth and keep soil cool
Residue retention: leaving crop stubble instead of burning protects soil
Minimum tillage: fewer ploughing passes to keep soil structure
Raised bed planting: improves drainage and water use
Sand dune stabilisation: planting grasses, Prosopis and Acacia on dunes
Gypsum: used to reclaim alkaline soils
Leaching: flushing salts with good-quality water and drainage
Jhum improvement: longer fallow, terraces and agroforestry in the north-east
CSWCRTI: Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute at Dehradun
National Bureau of Soil Survey: Nagpur, maps soils
PMKSY watershed: Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana supports soil and water conservation
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: promotes climate-resilient and soil health practices
Community role: farmers’ groups maintain bunds and share water
Link to previous: see Soil Erosion and Problems Due to Excessive Irrigation
Link to next: see Soil Health Card Scheme
Link to land restoration: see Desertification and Sustainable Land Management
Caution: choice of method depends on slope, rainfall and soil, so no single method fits all areas
Exam hint: group methods as mechanical, agronomic, forestry and management measures
Choosing a method: low slopes need bunds and contour farming, steep slopes need terraces, and dry windy zones need shelterbelts
Farmer participation: measures last only if farmers help plan, build and maintain them and share the gains
Cost and subsidies: terraces and check dams are costly, so government schemes and MGNREGS often fund them
Mulch materials: straw, leaves, crop residue, plastic film and wood chips can be used
Cover and roots: even a thin grass cover cuts soil loss sharply compared with bare ground
Maintenance: bunds, terraces and check dams need yearly repair before the monsoon

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Hills: Terracing
Wind: Shelterbelts
Gullies: Check dams
Current affairs link: PMKSY watershed
Common errors: confusing contour ploughing with strip cropping

As an analytical point, soil conservation works best when farmers see an income gain, not only a long-term benefit. Low-cost measures such as mulching, cover crops and contour farming give quick returns and are easier to adopt than large structures.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Hold Bunds, terraces
Cover Mulch, crops
Whole Watershed

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Soil Health Card Scheme. Next topic: Soil Health Card Scheme.

Key People and Terms

Contour Line of equal height
Terrace Step on slope
Shelterbelt Tree windbreak
Mulch Soil cover layer
Check dam Gully barrier
Watershed Catchment unit

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Hills: terracing.
Wind: shelterbelts.
Gullies: check dams.
Plough along contours.
Plan by watershed.

Do Not Confuse With

Contour ploughing and strip cropping Row direction versus alternate strips
Shelterbelt and windbreak Larger belt versus single row
Terrace and bund Steps versus earth ridge

Memory Hook

Contour the plough, terrace the hill, belt the wind, dam the gully, cover the soil.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for methods and where they fit. These points help.

Structural Bunds, dams
Biological Cover
Scale Watershed

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the measures for soil conservation in India with examples suited to different regions.”

How to Answer

Need Erosion.
Engineering Terraces.
Biological Cover.
Watershed Scale.

GS Relevance

Prelims: methods and examples. GS Paper 3: soil conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is soil conservation?

Soil conservation is the set of practices that protect soil from erosion and loss of fertility. It includes structures such as terraces and bunds, farming practices such as contour ploughing, mulching and crop rotation, tree planting and shelterbelts, and the management of whole watersheds so that soil and water are retained on the land.

What is contour ploughing?

Contour ploughing is the practice of ploughing and planting along lines of equal elevation across a slope, rather than up and down it. The furrows act as small barriers that slow runoff, let more water soak in and reduce soil loss, making it effective on gentle to moderate slopes.

How does terracing prevent soil erosion?

Terracing converts steep slopes into a series of level steps that shorten the slope length, slow down runoff and allow water to soak in. It is widely used in hill regions such as the Himalaya, north-east and Western Ghats for crops like rice, tea and vegetables, but requires regular repair.

What are shelterbelts?

Shelterbelts are rows of trees and shrubs planted at right angles to the prevailing wind to reduce wind speed and soil blowing. They protect crops and soil from wind erosion in arid regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat and also give fodder, fuelwood and shade.

What is watershed management?

Watershed management is the planned use and treatment of all land, water and vegetation in a drainage basin, from ridge to valley. It uses measures such as contour bunds, check dams, plantations and farm ponds to conserve soil and water together, and it involves the community. In India it is supported through the watershed component of PMKSY.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 Terracing is used on steep hill slopes.

True

To slow runoff.

2 Shelterbelts mainly control water erosion.

False

They reduce wind erosion.

3 Check dams are used in gullies.