DECEMBER 5 IS WORLD SOIL DAY
World Soil Day is held annually on December 5 as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate the sustainable management of soil resources. An International day to celebrate soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) in 2002.
This year’s theme of World Soil Day 2021 is ‘halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity’ which aims to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.
Soils can be salty. Salts are present naturally in soils and water, and they move freely through the soil. Naturally Saline soils may support rich ecosystems, but natural processes such as droughts and human activities, especially improper irrigation, can increase the content of salts in soils,a process that is called salinization. Soil salinization breaks down our soils and reduces their ability to help our food grow. Soil salinization and sodifications are major soil degradation processes threatening ecosystem and are recognized as being among the most important problems at a global level for agricultural production, food security and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. Salt affected soil have serious impacts on soil functions, such as in the decrease in agricultural productivity , water quality ,soil biodiversity and soil erosion. It also reduces both the ability of crops to take up water and the availabity of micronutrients.They also concentrate ions that are toxic to plants and may degrade the soil structure.
Changing consciousness in our society
The best way to deal with soil salinization is not to let it happen, Incase,it did , it is important to eradicate the problem – the sooner, the better, before the consequences get too severe. So, soil salinization solutions deals with prevention and management.
We can prevent soil salinization by optimizing irrigation (i.e reduce salty water usage, implement drip irrigation, use desalinated .recycled, rain-harvested water and don’t over irrigate), adding organic matter and manure to keep moisture and reduce irrigation, restrain from deep tillage /heavy machinery not to transfer soil salts to the root zone area, which induces salinization and using cover crops or mulch to protect the ground surface.
Keeping in the mind on the threats of soil salinization. We can also contribute in different scenario by raising awareness and encouraging people to engage pro-actively in improving soil health to fight soil biodiversity loss and to bring peoples focus and attention on the importance of sustainable management of soil resources.
Soil is Life, Conserve it!
Article contributed by Research, Demonstration & Training Centre, Sechü-Zubza, Kohima, Soil & Water Conservation Department
