Soil science

1. Chapter.2
Waste land and problem soils in India
Extent and distribution of waste land
As of February 2024, India has about 68.35 million hectares of land that is considered
wasteland, which is about 30% of the country's total geographical area. In 2015-16, the total
wasteland area was estimated to be 557,665 square kilometers, which is 16.96% of the total
geographical area. This is a decrease from 2008-09, when the total wasteland area was
566,070.36 square kilometers, which is 17.22% of the total geographical area. Rajasthan has
the largest area of wasteland in India, at around 78,000 square kilometers, which is 23% of the
state's total land and followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Karnataka 13.03
lakh hectares, or 6.8% of 191.79 lakh hectare geographical area, is considered wasteland. This
land can be used for industrial purposes.
Wastelands in India
National Wasteland Development Board (NWDB)
This was established in 1985 under the Ministry of Forests and Environment mainly to
tackle the problem of degradation of lands, restoration of ecology and to meet the growing
demands of fuel wood and fodder at the national level.
Aims of NWDB
 To develop the wastelands mainly in non-forest areas aimed at checking land
degradation, putting such wastelands of the country to promote sustainable use &
increasing biomass availability especially that of fuel wood, fodder, fruits, fiber & small
timber.
 The National Waste Land Development Board also take steps to map the wastelands
for development.
 The entire country was fully analysed and mapped for identifying the wastelands.
 Among all the states, the districts which have more than 15% area under wasteland
were identified for detailed mapping.
Integrated Wasteland Development Project (IWDP)
Scheme has been launched in 1989-90. The basic objective of this scheme is an
integrated wasteland development based on village/micro watershed plans. These plans are
prepared after taking into consideration the land capability, site condition and local needs of
the people.
Activities:
The major activities taken up under the schemes are
 In situ, soil and moisture conservation measures like terracing, bunding, trenching,
vegetative barriers and drainage line treatment.

2.  Planting and sowing of multipurpose trees, shrubs, grasses, legumes and pasture land
development.
 Encouraging natural regeneration.
 Promotion of agro forestry and horticulture.
 Wood substitution and fuel wood conservation measures.
 Awareness raising, training and extension.
 Encouraging people’s participation through community organization and capacity
building.
 Drainage Line treatment by vegetative and engineering structures.
 Development of small water harvesting structures.
 Afforestation of degraded forest and non-forest wasteland.
 Development and conservation of common property resources.

What is a Wasteland?
In general, barren or degraded lands do not fulfill their life sustaining potential. Some
of the agricultural fields degraded or unfit for profitable cultivation are also often considered
wastelands. The most commonly used definition of wastelands is “any type of land which
because of neglect, overuse or degradation by climatic and/or anthropogenic factors is not
being used to its fullest potential” The National Wasteland Development Board, Govt. of
India defines wasteland as “land which is presently degraded and is lying unutilized
except current fallow due to different constraints”. The wastelands can be mainly divided
into 2 types and then subdivided into several subtypes.
Classification of waste land
1. Cultural waste land:
Those waste land which can be developed for agricultural or forestation purpose
after some treatment. They are not used because of alkalinity of soil, erosion of soil,
water logging, etc.
2. Non cultural land:
That waste land which cannot be developed for agricultural, forestation or any
other productive purpose by any means.Example: Desert land, Rock land, Glacier
land and Snow covered land.
I. Culturable Wastelands:
These are the wastelands that can be cultured easily or without much difficulty. No
special measures are required for their reclamation. These may reclaim their own naturally with
time. It can further be subdivided into the following types.
 Gullied or Ravenous Wasteland:
 Steep Sloping Area/Undulating Uplands:
 Water Logged or Marshy Lands:
 Salt Effected Lands:
 Degraded Forest Land:

3.  Shifting Cultivation Area:
 Degraded Pastures/Grazing Lands:
 Mining/Industrial Wasteland:
 Land with or without Scrub Vegetation:
 Degraded Land under Plantation Crops:
II. Non-culturable Wastelands:
These cannot be reclaimed easily and natural reclamation is not possible. These can
either be reclaimed with extreme difficulty or cannot be reclaimed at all. It can further be
subdivided into the following types.
 Barren Rocky Area:
 Sandy Area:
 Snow-Covered or Glacial Areas:
Causes of Wasteland Formation:
The main causes of wasteland formation are:
 Soil erosion due to high-speed wind and water
 Salinization, alkalization, inundation of land areas
 Natural factors like tsunamis, floods and tidal actions.
 Anthropogenic activities like improper agricultural practices in terms of excessive
usage of fertilizers, pesticides, mono-cropping, improper disposal of industrial
waste, illegal and indiscriminate mining of minerals, Jhumming cultivation etc.
 Climate change and Environmental conditions like changing rainfall patterns (arid,
semiarid conditions)
 Management constraints
Importance of Wastelands/Need for Wasteland Reclamation
 Provides the source of income for rural people
 Help in maintaining an ecological balance in the area
 Maintains the local climatic conditions
 Ensures a constant supply of fuel, fodder and timber for local use
 Improves the soil fertility.
Problems of wastelands
 Poor soil fertility
 Steep slopes
 Shifting cultivation
 Droughts
 Lack of irrigation
 Flooding hazards
 Lack of resources

4.  Poor economic conditions
Management or Method of reclaimation:
1. By reducing salt content: Flushing, Gypsum, urea, potash.
2. Agro forestry: Its main Purpose is to have trees and crops from an integrated system of
biological production within a certain area. Thus, agro forestry implies integration of
trees with agricultural crops or livestock management simultaneously.
3. To prevent soil erosion by water
1. Contour cultivation
4. Land slide control :Control measures which include fencing to check biotic
interference, diversion of water flow, construction of gabion wells and check dams,
gully plugging and maintaining vegetation cover for stabilization and checking erosion.
5. Control of soil erosion by wind
6. Mulching: Mulching is found very effective in reducing the wind erosion.
7. Agronomic management practices

5. Problem Soils in India
Problem soils are soils that have limitations that make them difficult to cultivate and
require special management techniques. These limitations can be physical, chemical and
biological.
Chemical: Acidity, alkalinity, salinity, sodicity and calcareous
Physical: Poor drainage, waterlogging, hard pan soil, sandy soil and fluffy
paddy soil, slow and high permeable soils.
Biological: lack of beneficial microorganisms
The soils which possess characteristics that make them uneconomical for the cultivation
of crops without adopting proper reclamation measures are known as problem soils.
Classification of Problem soils
Types of problem soils
1) Physical problem soils
2) Chemical Problem soils
3) Biological Problem soils
4) Nutritional problem soils as a result of above constraints
1. Soils with Physical problems
a) Slow permeable soils/Impermeable soils
b) Highly permeable soils
c) Soil surface crusting
d) Sub soil hard pan
e) Shallow soils
f) Heavy clay soils
g) Fluffy paddy soils
2. Chemical Problem soils
a) Salt - affected soils: Saline soils, Alkali / Sodic soils, Saline-alkali/ sodic soils
b) Acid and acid sulphate soils
c) Calcareous soils
d) Man made polluted soils
3. Biological problems in soils
a) SOC and microbial population
b) Earthworms
c) Soil Respiration
d) Soil Enzymes
4. Eroded soils
Characteristics of problematic soil

6. Soils that limit crop production due to factors like acidity, drought, mineral stress, sodicity
or waterlogging are considered problematic.
– Soil acidification: A gradual decrease in soil pH over time that can make the
soil less fertile and harmful to crops and microorganisms
– Drainage limitations: Physical and chemical limitations that require special
management for crop production
– Erosion: Can degrade soil quality, increase acidity, affect drainage and pollute
water
– Poor soil structure: Can make soil more susceptible to wind erosion
– High salinity: Can compromise plant vigor, make seed germination poor and
cause plants to wilt and die
– Organic matter loss: Also known as dehumification, this can occur due to land
degradation and other long-term processes
Reclamation or Management practices of problem soils
Soil reclamation is the process of restoring problematic soils to a state where they can
support healthy plant growth. This involves a combination of physical, chemical, and biological
interventions tailored to the specific challenges posed by the soil. Let's explore some common
soil reclamation techniques.
1. Organic Matter Addition
Adding organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, can improve soil
structure and nutrient content. This is particularly beneficial for soils with low fertility.
Optimizing Organic Matter: Utilizing cover crops and green manure enhances organic
matter content. Crop residues left in the field after harvest also contribute to soil fertility, acting
as a continuous source of organic material.
2. Nutrient Management
Balancing nutrient levels is crucial for optimal plant growth. Soil testing and targeted
fertilizer application can help address nutrient deficiencies or excesses.
3. Precision Farming:
Employing precision farming techniques, guided by soil nutrient maps, allows farmers
to apply fertilizers precisely where needed. This minimizes excess nutrient runoff, promoting
both cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
4. Irrigation Management
In areas with waterlogging or salinity issues, proper irrigation management is essential.
Techniques like controlled drainage and sub-surface drainage can alleviate these problems.

7. Smart Irrigation: Implementing modern irrigation technologies, such as drip or
sprinkler systems, ensures efficient water use. Controlled drainage systems prevent
waterlogging, protecting crops from excess moisture.
5. Crop Rotation
Rotating crops strategically is an effective method to break pest cycles, improve soil
structure, and enhance nutrient cycling.
Diversifying Crop Rotations: Introducing a diverse range of crops in rotations helps
break disease and pest cycles. Legumes, for example, contribute to nitrogen fixation, enriching
the soil with this essential nutrient.