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World Soil Day 2024, Theme, History, Significance

05-12-2024

08:30 AM

World Soil Day 2024.webp

World Soil Day is observed on 5th December every year, with the focus on the critical importance of soil on earth. More than 95% of human existence and dependent on soil because it is the primary source where food is grown. Hence the health of soil is directly aligned with human survival and the well-being of the planet. World Soil Day 2024 is trying the bring awareness about the accurate soil data and sustainable practices that ensure food, security and climate change. 

World Soil Day Overview

The United Nations General Assembly officially recognised World Soil Day in the year 2014 to highlight the significance of soil. This day is celebrated every year to spread awareness on sustainable management of soil resources. World Soil Day celebrations are organised under the guidance of the International Union of Soil Science and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation. (FAO)

World Soil Day 2024 Overview

Aspect

Details

Event Name

World Soil Day 2024

Date

December 5, 2024

Theme

Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage

Established By

International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)

Official Recognition

Endorsed by FAO in 2013, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2013

Purpose

To raise awareness about the importance of healthy soils and advocate for sustainable management practices

Significance

Highlights soil’s role in food security, climate action, and environmental resilience

Key Activities

Campaigns, educational events, workshops, and advocacy for sustainable soil management

Global Observance

Celebrated worldwide by governments, organisations, and communities

World Soil Day Origin

The concept of World Soil Day was put forward in 2022 by the International Union of Soil Sciences and was officially accepted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2013. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the day in 2013 and finally December 5 was chosen as a date of celebration in honor of Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who was a key supporter in this soil conservation initiative. 

World Soil Day 2024 Theme

The theme of World Soil Day 2024 is Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage. This Theme represents the need for accurate soil data to guide sustainable management practices. Accurate calculation of soil data can help in: 

  1. Improving soil health
  2. Decrease in spill erosion and pollution 
  3. Improved water infiltration and storage
  4. Contribution towards carbon sequestration 

World Soil Day Celebration

Soil is the most important natural resource that supports human life in ways of agriculture, biodiversity, water purification etc. however, to spread awareness about the increasing threats like erosion, deforestation and industrial activities World Soil day is celebrated for the following reasons: 

  1. To prevent soil erosion which impacts the loss of fertile topsoil.
  2. To promote sustainable agriculture practices that ensure food security while simultaneously supporting soil health.
  3. Soil supports life growth of plants as well as various organisms through nutrient recycling and carbon storage. 
  4. The day spreads awareness about the importance of soil conservation. 

Types of Soil in India

India’s diverse demographic environment supports different types of soil, each having its own unique characteristics and sustainability for specific crops. Here is a list of soils found in India: 

Types of Soil Found in India

Type of Soil

Characteristics

Regions Found

Crops Grown

Alluvial Soil

Fertile, rich in nutrients, loamy

Indo-Gangetic Plains

Wheat, rice, sugarcane

Black Soil

Retains moisture, rich in lime

Deccan Plateau

Cotton, sorghum, millet

Red Soil

Sandy, rich in iron

Eastern and Southern India

Groundnuts, pulses, millet

Laterite Soil

Acidic, poor in fertility

Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats

Cashew, tea, coffee

Desert Soil

Sandy, low in organic matter

Rajasthan, Gujarat

Millets, barley

Mountain Soil

Rich in organic matter

Himalayan Region

Tea, apples, cardamom

Challenges Faced by Soils 

Soils are under increasing threat from degradation, pollution, and unsustainable practices, jeopardizing their fertility, disrupting ecosystems, and endangering global food security. Urgent action is required to address these critical challenges:

1. Soil Erosion

  • Water Erosion: Processes like rilling, gullying, and sheetwash erode soil based on its properties, slope, and vegetation cover.
  • Wind Erosion: Dry, weakly aggregated soils without vegetation are highly susceptible to wind erosion.
  • Human Contributions:
    • Deforestation and overgrazing disrupt soil structure.
    • Poor agricultural practices, such as inadequate crop rotation and shifting cultivation, accelerate erosion.

2. Fertility Deficiency

  • Nutrient Imbalance: Indian soils are deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus, with regional disparities:
    • Indo-Gangetic plains and North-East India lack phosphorus.
    • Central and Southern India report significant nitrogen deficiency.
  • Fertiliser Misuse:
    • The ideal NPK ratio of 4:2:1 has shifted to 6.7:2.7:1 due to excessive urea subsidies and high costs of other fertilisers.
    • Practices like crop residue burning further deplete soil nutrients.

3. Desertification

Human activities, such as uncontrolled grazing, deforestation, and population pressures, contribute to desert-like conditions in arid regions. This exacerbates:

  • Increased wind erosion.
  • Decreased soil productivity.
  • More frequent droughts.

4. Waterlogging

  • Poor drainage and seepage from unlined canals have led to waterlogging in about 12 million hectares of land in India.
  • Flat terrains trap rainwater, damaging soil structure and reducing productivity.

5. Salinity and Alkalinity

  • Over-irrigation raises water tables, leaving behind salt deposits (salinity) or creating sodium-dominated soils (alkalinity).
  • Fertile regions like Punjab and Haryana are now degraded due to excessive irrigation practices.

6. Wasteland and Urban Development

  • Urbanisation introduces heavy metals and chemical toxins into soils, posing long-term carcinogenic risks.
  • Improper industrial waste management exacerbates soil contamination.

7. Industrialisation

  • Expansion of industrial activities and open-cast mining encroach on agricultural and forest lands.
  • Mining alters soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties while generating waste that disrupts local ecosystems.

Addressing these challenges requires sustainable soil management practices, policy interventions, and public awareness to ensure the long-term health and productivity of this vital resource.

Soil Conservation in India

India faces significant challenges in soil conservation due to factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and unsustainable agricultural practices. To address these issues, the government and various organizations have implemented a range of strategies:

1. Afforestation

Planting trees is a key measure to combat soil erosion, as tree roots stabilize the soil while the canopy provides protection against wind and water.

2. Watershed Management

Programs like the Integrated Watershed Development Program (IWDP) aim to conserve soil and water resources, ensuring sustainable use and restoring degraded ecosystems.

3. Terrace Farming

In hilly regions, terrace farming is adopted to reduce water runoff and prevent soil erosion by creating level platforms for cultivation.

4. Contour Plowing

This technique involves ploughing along the natural contours of a slope, conserving water and significantly reducing soil erosion.

5. Organic Farming

Promoting organic farming practices reduces reliance on chemical inputs, thereby preserving soil health and maintaining its fertility over time.

6. Soil Health Cards

The Indian government introduced the Soil Health Card Scheme to provide farmers with detailed assessments of their soil's nutrient status, along with tailored recommendations for fertilizer use to optimize soil productivity.

These measures collectively contribute to preserving India's soil resources, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering environmental resilience.
Also Read about: International Volunteer Day 2024

World Soil Day 2024 FAQs

Q1. What is the theme for World Soil Day 2024?
Ans. The theme for World Soil Day 2024 is Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage. 

Q2. Why is 5th December a World Soil Day?
Ans. 5th December is observed as World Soil Day to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a soil conservation advocate, whose birthday falls on this day.

Q3. What is the slogan of World Soil Day?
Ans. The slogan of World Soil Day is "Halt Soil Erosion, Save our Future."

Q4. What is celebrated on 5 December?
Ans. World Soil Day is celebrated on 5th December to raise awareness about soil health and its critical role in sustainable development.

Q5. When was the first International Soil Day?
Ans. The first official World Soil Day was celebrated on 5th December 2014.

Q6. What is the theme of World Soil Day 2014?
Ans. The theme of World Soil Day 2014 was "Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life."

Q7. What is the study of dirt called?
Ans. The study of dirt (soil) is called Pedology.