GUWAHATI: The Assam government announced a ₹24.5 crore initiative on Wednesday, November 20, to promote sustainable soil conservation techniques.
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“Efficient soil conservation techniques boost productivity and aid growth,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on X. “We have undertaken efforts to ensure sustainable soil management for Assam’s long-term development.”
Aiming to boost agricultural productivity, enhance groundwater recharge, and foster ecological restoration, the plan includes projects like Batabari Wetland Development and Integrated Water Harvesting, and Erosion Control at Tiokai-Kazigaon, addressing critical environmental and agricultural challenges.
Furthermore, district-level monitoring, GIS-based oversight, quarterly progress reports, and independent evaluations will be conducted to ensure transparent and effective implementation.
Highlighting the urgent need for soil conservation, researchers from IIT Delhi’s Hydrosense Lab had put forward a study earlier this year, claiming that Assam faces the highest potential soil loss (PSL) values in India at 78.16 tons per hectare annually, nearly four times the national average of 21 tons. Despite occupying just 2.4% of India’s geographical area, the Northeastern state contributes a staggering 107.83 million tons of soil loss each year.