World Soil Day

Every year 5th December is observed globally as World Soil Day.The World community observes it so to aware people of the degrading condition of the Soil.Good and healthy soil not only gives humanity food for sustenance but is a great carbon sequester and provides fresh water for drinking and agriculture.

Thus the soil degradation is as well a serious environmental issue. Soil degradation leads to erosion, loss of organic matter, decline in soil fertility and water and air pollution.

Globally soil contains thrice as much carbon as living plants. The carbon sequestration in soil is done through plants and micro organisms like bacteria and fungi that are housed in soils. With less soil moisture, plant respiration reduces,reducing microbial activity. Reduced plant growth means less carbon di oxide is absorbed from atmosphere.

Thus from carbon sequester degraded soil becomes net carbon di oxide emitters. Healthy soil helps stabilize our climate. Deforestation , unthought industrialization and industrial agriculture damage the health of the soil while regenerative farming and permaculture restore it.This year’s theme of the World Soil Day is ” Halt soil salinisation, boost soil productivity ” Let’s all work to stop soil degradation.

(V P Srivastava Environmental Activist and President C-CARBONS)