NCERT · Class 10 · Social Science · Geography: Resources and DevelopmentExplain the main causes of land degradation in India and suggest any two measures to control it.

Land degradation refers to the decline in the overall quality and economic productivity of land due to human activities and natural forces.

Main Causes of Land Degradation in India:

1. Deforestation and Mining: Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete, leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
2. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing of livestock in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh leads to severe vegetation loss and soil erosion.
3. Over-irrigation: In Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, over-irrigation leads to waterlogging, increasing salinity and alkalinity in the soil.

Measures to Control Land Degradation:

1. Afforestation and Grazing Management: Planting trees on a large scale and proper management of grazing lands help bind the soil.
2. Shelterbelts and Dune Stabilization: Planting shelterbelts of plants and growing thorny bushes help stabilize sand dunes in arid areas.