SOIL EROSION IN NEPAL: A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH MANY CAUSES
29 Oct 2022
Nepal is vulnerable to soil erosion for a number of reasons.
First, the country is located in a region of high rainfall and severe floods,
which can lead to massive amounts of soil being washed away. Second, the
Himalayan mountains are constantly eroding, and the resulting sediment is often
deposited in Nepal, leading to further soil loss. Third,
deforestation is a major problem in Nepal, and the loss of trees can lead to
increased soil erosion. Finally, the country’s steep topography makes it
particularly vulnerable to landslides, which can also cause extensive soil
loss.
Mulching, cover cropping, contour farming,
strip crop, and conservation agriculture practices are examples of
erosion-resistant strategies. Land degradation is a major
policy concern in Nepal, with three- and five-year plans in place.
In Nepal, 40% of soils have low organic matter
(OM), 23% have low phosphorus (P), 18% have low potassium (K), and 67%
have acidic soils, according to 15.
It is a very specialized field of research in
Nepal. There are several types of soil discovered in Nepal so far, including
alluvial soils, lacustrine soils, rocky soils, and mountain soils. The Terai region is home to
a variety of alluvial soils, while the river basins are home to a
variety of alluvial soils. This alluvial soil is extremely fertile in nature
because it is made up of materials deposited by rivers.
Deforestation of agriculture is the most common cause of soil
erosion. Due to a growing population, as well as increasing demand for
commodities such as coffee, soybean, palm oil, and wheat, agricultural land is
being cleared.
What
Makes Fields Vulnerable To Soil Erosion?
Credit: Blue &
Green Tomorrow
There are many factors that can make fields vulnerable to soil
erosion. One is the type of soil present. Soils that are high in clay content
are more likely to erode than those that are sandier. Another factor is the
amount of vegetation present. Fields that are heavily forested are less likely
to experience erosion than those that have been cleared of trees and other
plants. Finally, the slope of the land is also a factor. Steep slopes are more
likely to experience erosion than those that are more gradual.
The process of soil erosion affects all
landforms. It is common for erosion to be gradual and undetected, or to become
severe at an alarming rate. This Fact sheet describes the causes and effects of
wind and water erosion on agricultural land. The ability of a soil to resist
erosion, in other words, how well a soil can resist erosion based on its
physical characteristics. Sand, sandy loam, and very fine sand soils, as well as silt and fine
sand, are less porous to erosion. Surface water runoff occurs when there is
excess water on a slope that cannot be absorbed by the soil. Consolidating
small fields into larger ones can result in longer slope lengths with more
erosion potential.
If the soil lacks or very little vegetative cover for plants or
crop residues, it is more likely to erode. Raindrop impact and splash are
avoided by covering the soil with plants and residue, which slows the flow of
runoff water. To explain how soil moves in raindrop splash and runoff water, we
use the term sheeter erosion. There may be erosion at the bottom of a slope or
in low-lying areas. Dillingering rill erosion, also known as gabion erosion, is
an advanced stage of erosion where channel surfaces erode. Each year, many
Ontario farms lose a lot of topsoil and subsoil as a result of gully erosion.
It refers to the process of undercutting, scouring, and slumping natural
drainageways over time.
Problems with bank erosion can occur due to a
variety of factors, including poor construction practices, inadequate
maintenance, livestock access and crop spacing that is too close to a bank.
Bank erosion is the direct cause of loss of productive farmland, undermining of
structures, and the removal of lanes, roads, and fence rows. It is common for
wind to blow through long, unsheltered, smooth soil surfaces. The movement
of soil particles is determined by their
size as well as the strength of the wind, which influences suspension,
saltation, and surface creep. Wind can propel soil particles through a lack of
windbreaks (trees, shrubs, crop residue). In general, hill country and knolls
are the most exposed areas. Arable land is frequently demineralized and thus
cannot provide food for the growing plants.
A cover crop with an adequate network of
living windbreaks is the most effective vegetative cover. This is accomplished
in conjunction with good management of residue and good crop selection. The
process of moving soil from one location to another via a downslope is
referred to as upslope erosion. The rate and magnitude of soil
erosion caused by tillage are determined by a number of factors. Lifting and
moving equipment, on the other hand, tends to move more dirt. Deep tilling
disturbs a larger area of the soil, while faster tilling moves it further. When
changing crop rotation or adjusting tillage practices will not be enough to
stop erosion on a field, it may be necessary to implement a combination of
measures or take drastic action. The plowing of contour areas, strip-cropping,
and terracing are examples of these. Structural controls must be included as
part of the overall solution if the situation is more serious.
Global soil erosion is a problem
that affects all countries. The process takes place in the natural world, in
the form of water, ice, wind, and gravity. Archaeologists believe that soil
erosion has caused the loss of fertile land to floods and water pollution,
among other things. Furthermore, soil erosion degrades ecosystem functions,
increases hydrogeological risk factors such as landslides and floods,
exacerbates biodiversity loss, harms urban infrastructure,
and, in some cases, displaces people. Water, ice, wind, and gravity are the
most common causes of soil erosion, and these are all equally destructive. The
consequences of soil erosion are global, and they affect all humans.
Agricultural productivity is reduced, ecosystem functions are degraded,
hydrogeological risk increases, biodiversity loss occurs, urban infrastructure
is damaged, and human populations are displaced as a result of soil erosion.
The problem of soil erosion is a global issue that must be addressed in order
to improve the quality of life for all.
The
Most Common Causes Of Field Erosion
The erosion of fields can result in a variety
of issues for farmers, including the loss of topsoil, erosion of water
resources, and the introduction of harmful pollutants into the environment.
A recent study found that heavy rain is the most common cause of soil erosion
in the United States. Aside from poor geography, deforestation, and drought, a
number of other factors contribute to soil erosion.
The survey respondents were asked to rate the most important causes of soil
erosion on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the importance of the issue. Heavy rains
are thought to be the most frequently caused by erosion.
The soil that has the most medium (silt)-sized particles is most at risk of
erosion. When soils are clay or sandy, erosion is less likely. The combined length,
grade, and quality of the ground (rough or smooth) all contribute to
erodibility.
Farmers may encounter a variety of issues as a result of erosion. Topsoil loss
can result in the erosion of water resources and the introduction of harmful
pollutants to the environment. Farmers can take steps to avoid soil erosion by
becoming better acquainted with the causes.
How
Is The Status Of Nepal In Soil Erosion?
Source: MDPI
Nepal’s situation is even worse because two-thirds of its total
land area is highly fragile and prone to soil erosion. Topsoil loss from
sloping terraces has been reported to be as high as 87 tonnes per hectare per
year. When the topsoil is lost, the bottom is also destroyed.
Our economy and environment rely heavily on
soil. Alluvial soil, sandy gravel soil, lacustrine soil, rocky soil, mountain
soil, and peaty or marsh soil are just a few examples of soil types.
It can be found in Tarai and river basins. It is well suited to supporting
large numbers of people because it is fertile. The soil of India is divided
into eight deposits. The following categories describe soils: alluvial, black,
red, laterite, desert or arid, forest, mountain, peaty, or marsh, and saline or
alkaline. These soils were formed by the sediments that were deposited by the
rivers. Their range of chemical properties is also impressive.
Soil
Erosion In Nepal
One of the country’s most pressing
environmental and development concerns is soil erosion. In Nepal, a large
amount of rainfall causes soil erosion, with the loss of soil and its ability
to retain water being the main cause of this. The Middle Mountains have
historically been the most vulnerable region to water erosion due to steep
topography, anomalous climatic conditions, and intensive human activity. In
order to address soil erosion, the Nepalese government has enacted a number of
policies and initiatives, including the 1996 Soil Erosion Control Act, which
establishes a government agency to address soil erosion; and the 2006 Soil Conservation and
Development Authority (SCDA) Act, which establishes a government agency to
address Furthermore, the government has implemented a number of soil erosion
control projects, including the Soil Conservation and Development Project of
the Department of Agriculture, the Watershed Development Project of the
Department of Forests, and the Forest Development Project of the Department of
Livestock. Despite the country’s efforts, soil erosion remains a significant
problem, and the government must continue enacting and implementing policies and
projects to address it.
What
Region Of Nepal Is Soil Erosion?
Credit:
pathshalanepal.com
Because of the fragile geology of Nepal’s Middle Mountains,
steep topography, unusually anomalous climatic conditions, and intensive human
activity, the Middle Mountains have become one of the country’s most vulnerable
regions to water erosion.
Terai is an important region in Nepal because of its fertile
soil and its ability to improve the country’s agricultural and water resources.
The Terai region is characterized by alluvial and coarse-textured soil, with a
decrease in the Terai and hill area’s forest cover between 1978 and 1979, as
well as a decrease between 1990 and 1991. When water or wind hits the soil, it
softens and removes soil particles, causing it to deteriorate. The erosion and
surface runoff of soils have caused severe problems in the world, as erosion
and surface runoff degrade soils and cause water quality
problems. The Terai region of Nepal is a fertile region, but it is also prone
to erosion and degradation. The region is in danger of being harmed by water
and wind, and the government must work to protect it.
ABOUT AUTHOR /
Kathleen
No comments:
Post a Comment