Describe the areas affected by soil erosion. Mention factors responsible for it, and suggest measures to conserve it.

The following factors are responsible for the soil erosion :

1. Excessive grazing by cattle on the slopes of hill causes rapid soil erosion.

2. Potato cultivation in Meghalaya and in the Nilgiri hills cause soil erosion.

3. Clearing of forests in the Himalayas and on the Western Ghats.

4. Jhum cultivation practiced by the tribal people in different parts of the country has caused considerable depletion of the soils.

5. Steep slopes affect the rapidity of running water and the intensity of soil erosion increases.

6. Torrential rainfall i.e. heavy rainfall loosens the soil particles and scoopes out the soil forming gullies and ravines.

7. Strong winds also cause soil erosion. They blow away soils in dry areas.

8. Deforestation - it means the removal of forest cover and it exposes the area to soil erosion.

The following are the measures to conserve the soils :

1. Scientific land use.

2. Scientific crop rotation.

3. Contour ploughing and bunding.

4. Afforestation, especially in the upper reaches of river basins.

5. Construction of barriers against water gullies in wet regions.

6. Increased use of organic manures.

7. Replacing flood irrigation by sprinklers and drip irrigation.