Soil, the biologically active, porous medium that has developed in the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. Soil is one of the principal substrata of life on Earth, serving as a reservoir of water and nutrients, as a medium for the filtration and breakdown of injurious wastes, and as a participant in the cycling of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem. It has evolved through weathering processes driven by biological, climatic, geologic, and topographic influences. The study of soil as a separate scientific discipline began about the same time with systematic investigations of substances that enhance plant growth. This initial inquiry has expanded to an understanding of soils as complex, dynamic, biogeochemical systems that are vital to the life cycles of terrestrial vegetation and soil-inhabiting organisms and by extension to the human race as well.

Soil Pollution

             Soil is the dumping ground of most of the waste products-domestic, human, animal, industrial and agricultural. Every year the solid wastes dumped into the soil are increasing at an alarming rate all over the world. Large number of hazardous chemicals and several thousand tons of wastes are ultimately dumped on the land. These are leached by municipal and industrial wastes and are responsible for pollution of ground water. Soil pollution refers to the situation where harmful chemicals or elements are present in soil at higher levels than normal, negatively affecting its chemical biological, and physical characteristics. The issue of soil pollution is intricate due to the diverse and uneven nature of soils, the way contaminants stick to clay minerals and organic matter and the wide range of pollutants involved. The problem of soil pollution is compounded by the use of agrochemicals, eg., pesticides, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, biocides, fertilizers and manure. Besides these the soil is polluted by deadly pathogenic organisms. The soil pollution differs from air and water pollution in the sense that the pollutants in soil remain in direct contact with the soil for relatively longer periods. In fact, the soil has been heavily polluted as a result of industrial revolution and green revolution. Basically humans are responsible for the pollution of the land. The main sources of soil pollution include industrial wastes, urban and domestic waste, radioactive pollutants, agrochemicals, chemical and metallic pollutants, biological agents, acid rain etc.

                   The terrain gradient, drainage density, runoff coefficient, frequent rain events, perennial streams and rivers etc succors a clean environment for the State of Kerala. Added to this is the concerted effort and achievements of the State in sanitation sector. Kerala was one of the first States in the country to fully do away with the dehumanising practice of scavenging as a culmination of people's movement for basic human dignity. Further, Kerala is one of the three open defecation free States in the country. Though the primary goal of sanitation is achieved, there are various secondary issues affecting the hygiene of the State. It includes increasing discharge of solid and liquid waste, cross-contamination of septage with groundwater, pollutant release from industries, vehicular traffic beyond the carrying capacity of roads, indiscriminate application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides etc. imposing serious restraints on the environmental cleanliness of the State.

Soil Conservation

               Soil Conservation refers to various practices to shield soil from degradation. It emphasizes treating soil as a living ecosystem, necessitating a continuous return of organic matter to the soil. Soil Conservation is a holistic approach that recognizes the soil as a living ecosystem, with organisms contributing to its fertility by breaking down organic matter, releasing nutrients, and enhancing air and water circulation. Due to overexploitation and unsustainable development methods, humanity is witnessing soil erosion rapidly. In light of these, we must keep all differences aside and work harmoniously to conserve the soil.

           Considering the importance of sustainable management of soil resource in agricultural development, soil conservation activities were carried out in the State by the Department of Soil Survey and Soil Conservation. In 2022-23, an area of 6,361.58 hectare area have been treated with conservation measures aiming to improve the local production environment with basic infrastructure for facilitating increased agricultural production and productivity under various watershed projects/ drainage and flood control schemes. Agronomic and bio engineering interventions were undertaken for the stabilisation and protection of landslide affected/prone areas in an area of 989.19 hectare and eco-restoration activities were carried out in an area of 2,984.42 hectare in Idukki, Wayanad, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Alappuzha Districts under Rebuild Kerala Initiative.

              Considering the importance of soil test based management practises in crop production and classification of soils based on its physic chemical properties, 25,322 samples were analysed and 17,164 soil health cards were distributed. As part of converting the data available with the department to digital platform, digitisation drive was started in 2021-22 and till date digitisation of soil and land resources of 350 Panchayats has been completed. The “Soil Museum” under the department which acts as a repository of comprehensive information about the soils of the State, was included in the official tourism website of the Government of Kerala during this period.  

Reference: Economic Review 2023