December 5 is World Soil Day
Kohima, December 4 (MExN): A total of 42,104 soil health cards (SHC) have been issued so far, and in 2023, the Nagaland’s Soil & Water Conservation department plan to issue 14,800 SHC covering 74 blocks across the State.
The department will also distribute micronutrients for soil health and fertility, and efforts are underway to set up Bio-fertilizer Production units for sustainable soil management, informed by Advisor Soil & Water Conservation, Information, and Public Relations, Imkong L Imchen, in a message on the eve of World Soil Day.
Held annually on December 5, the 2023 edition has the theme "Soil & Water, A Source of Life," with the objective of raising awareness about the importance of the relationship between soil and water in achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
The Advisor emphasised that the day focuses attention on the importance of healthy soil and its sustainable management.
Considering the significance of soil, the Department has been addressing soil and water conservation-related concerns in Nagaland since its establishment by implementing various activities and measures through schemes under the State Plan and central projects, he said. The department has also formulated various measures to tackle challenges and plan the way forward, he added.
“Let us appreciate this incredible natural resource, the anchor of ecosystems and the source of our food, and take steps to protect our soil,” he added.
Soil and water crucial in climate change mitigation & adaptation
Soil and water conservation can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation by enhancing the land’s capacity to withstand extreme climate events such as droughts and floods, according to the Department. Integrated soil and water management practices provide essential ecosystem services, supporting life on earth and enhancing ecosystem resilience.
Healthy soils act as a carbon link by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to both climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, added a message from the Soil & Water Conservation Department, Research, Demonstration & Training Centre, Sechu-Zubza.
The planet’s survival depends on the precious link between soil and water, as over 95% of food originates from these two fundamental resources, the Department said. Recognizing their invaluable roles, proactive measures should be taken to safeguard soil and water for future generations. By keeping soil alive, we can protect soil biodiversity, it added.
