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CONTENTS

Introduction

Role of Soil

Kraal/Kumhar – An Ancient Craft

Soil & Environment

Soils of J&K

Soils of J&K – Kashmiri Classification

Soils and Climate Change

Achieving Healthy Soils

2015 - International Year of Soils

World Soil Day

Soil Health Card Scheme

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Healthy soil is the foundation of the food system. It produces healthy crops that in turn nourish people. Maintaining a healthy soil demands care and sustainable use from farmers because farming is sensitive to anthropogenic factors. By definition, farming disturbs the natural soil processes including that of nutrient cycling- the release and uptake of nutrients. In addition to providing nutrients and habitat to organisms living in the soil, organic matter binds soil particles into aggregates and improves the water holding capacity of soil. Soil is a living, dynamic ecosystem and a non-renewable resource. Farmers can take many remedial measures to maintain, improve and replenish soils, especially soils that have been under cultivation for a long time. A key to soil restoration is to maximize the retention and recycling of organic matter and plant nutrients, and to minimize the losses of these soil components caused by leaching, runoff and erosion. A better understanding of the linkages between soil biodiversity and ecosystem function and the impact of human interventions will enable the reduction of negative impacts and the more effective benefits of soil biological activity for sustainable and productive agriculture.

Om Prakash Sharma, IFS Director

DEE&RS, J&K

ENVIS Newsletter April – June, 2015 SOILS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

J&K ENVIS Centre Department of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing Jammu & Kashmir

INTRODUCTION Soil has been a defining component of cultures since the beginning of civilization. Some of the first written words were recorded on clay tablets and water was carried in clay pitchers. It provides the base for all buildings (although some may be able to support a skyscraper and some others may not be able to support your weight), it holds the clues of past cultures (to be revealed by archaeologists or erosion), it supports the web of life (connecting all ecosystems), provides materials to build houses, is a source of nutraceuticals (definite in the American Heritage Dictionary as a food or naturally occurring food supplement thought to have a beneficial effect on human health), and of course, provides the base for our food, fiber, feed, and even some biofuels Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living things. It forms at the surface of land – it is the “skin of the earth.” Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth. Soil performs many critical functions in almost any ecosystem (whether a farm, forest, grassland, marsh, or suburban watershed).

WHAT IS SOIL The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. The unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the surface of the earth that has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and environmental factors of: climate (including water and temperature effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on parent material over a period of time. SO THEN, WHAT IS DIRT? Dirt is what gets on our clothes or under our fingernails. It is soil that is out of place in our world – whether tracked inside by shoes or on our clothes. Dirt is also soil that has lost the characteristics that give it the ability to support life – it is dead.

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Take anything in your life and you can trace it back to soil. We cannot survive without soils! While we are often not aware of it, soils really do directly or indirectly affect every part of our lives: from food, water and air availability and quality, to engineering implications to various essential ecosystem services, to influences on human cultures and careers. Soils produce our food: our crop plants are grown in soil, our livestock eat crops grown in soil, wildlife feeds on plants grown in soil, even fish eat plants, insects, etc, that at some point in their life-cycle are directly linked to soil. Soils have a role in food production, clothing, water and air quality, shelters and buildings, art, medicine, and various other parts of life. Food Production: All life is dependent on soil for sustenance. Plants acquire their minerals (nutrients) and water from the soil. Animals acquire their nutrients from plants. Soil organisms are critical to transformations of nutrients for food productions. Soil quality determines the natural fertility, water holding capacity which coupled with the climate determines yields. Clothing: All clothing materials come from plants and animals. Leather, wool, and furs come from animals that humans have raised or hunted. Linen and cotton are woven together from plant fibers, and silk is created using the silkworm (animal) on a silk plant. Clothes that are made from polyester and other types of man-made chemicals still come from natural products, like coal (which used to be soil) and petroleum, and still require the air and water filtered by soil and what grows in it. Art & Culture: For centuries, traditional earthen pottery was used to make common household and kitchen items. Interestingly, clay tablets were among the first portable writing and painting surfaces used. It is one of the materials used in early pictographs on cave walls. The colorful minerals of soil have inspired artwork and been used as dyes and paints. Human Health and Medicine: There are several trillion different bacteria in every tablespoon of soil, not to mention the fungi and other things. These bacteria have several uses for humans, including: antibiotics like streptomycin to fight infection bacteria that show promise to treat tumors cyclosporine, the drug that is widely used to help

transplant patients accept their new organs. kaolin (a type of clay) and pectin provide the base

ingrediants for antidiarrheal drugs and antacids that help with stomach aches.

For centuries, people have been using mud therapies to help with dermatitis, diabetes, and arthritis.

KRAAL/KUMHAR - AN ANCIENT CRAFT ROLE OF SOIL by FAISAL MAGRAY

Having served Kashmiri homes for centuries, traditional earthen pottery might soon become a thing of the past. Pottery took the shape of indigenous Kashmiri art and some people adopted it as a profession. Pottery is one such art, which was once very popular in Kashmir. The people, who are associated with this art, are called Kraal (in kashmiri) (Kumhar in Urdu/Hindi) and (Potter in English). Hundreds of people were, once, associated with this trade and products made by them were used for domestic purpose. The potter used to make numerous utensils with different designs in their workshop. Pottery in Kashmir has a long history. The archaeological sites of Burzahama in Srinagar and Gufkral in Pulwama which dated back 5000 years also revealed the evidence of ancient Kashmir pottery. The earthen vessels such as jars, gharas, handis, jugs, incense burners, bottles and earthen lamps were found there. It is a wheel driven by hands. In the middle of it is placed a lump of clay from which pots are made. When desired pot is ready, it is then detached from the wheel by a special thread called kralpan (in kashmiri). From large vessels to miniature cups, they are first baked in the potters miniature kiln and then decorated. After then they are carried to the adjacent village markets where they are sold. In Nishat, Srinagar, the locality of Kral Sangri was known for pottery making. Young and old in each family would make earthen pots. However, now only a few families make these earthen utensils in the entire locality. Pottery, once the main source of income for many, is now a closed chapter the inhabitants do not want to return to. During the past few decades these earthen pots have been replaced with aluminium, plastic and steel products, affecting the livelihood of a large number of artisans engaged in the trade.

Traditional Earthen Pottery exhibit during Forest Food Festival at IHM Rajbagh

Kashmiri Potter at Work (Photo Credit – Faisal Magray)

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CARBON AND NUTRIENT CYCLING Soil contains large amounts of stored carbon, nearly 5 times more than the plants that grow in it. Natural processes are all cyclical. On a global level, the total carbon cycle is more complex, and involves carbon stored in fossil fuels, soils, oceans, and rocks. Physical, biological, and chemical processes in the soil affect the balance in organic carbon compounds, and if they are released to the atmosphere as CO2, or stored in the soil. This same process occurs with Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and all other materials. WATER FILTRATION Without soil and soil particles, water would be running on bare rocks! When it rains, the soil acts as a sponge, soaking water into the ground. From there a few things can happen to the water. The water can be taken up by plants, microbes, and other living things, or the water moves into the underground aquifers and lakes, and flows into streams before eventually making it to the ocean. If rainfall contains harmful pollutants, the soil acts as a filter; contaminants are captured by the soil particles, and the water comes out cleaner in the aquifers and rivers. Soil filters water as it moves from the land surface into the groundwater. This occurs through physical, chemical and biological process. For example, septic systems rely on these processes to protect groundwater quality as well as maintain the quantity of our water supply. When soils are not protected, soils and nutrients can pollute water, washing away into streams and oceans. WATER CYCLING AND QUALITY Application of excess fertilizers, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can result in runoff to streams and rivers or contamination of groundwater. In most freshwater systems, phosphorus is the major limiting nutrient for the growth of photosynthetic organisms (e.g., plants, algae, and some microorganisms like phytoplankton). If a lake or pond receives excess phosphate, it can stimulate these organisms, especially if nitrates are present with it. These organisms block out the light and consume oxygen in the water to the detriment of other organisms (e.g., other plants and fish). Other symptoms include cloudy water that is typically green or yellow. Dead plants and fish and cloudy green water make these water bodies uninviting for recreational activities. "WASTE" DECOMPOSITION Soils are the stomach that converts these "waste" products into newer, better things that can be reused by other creatures. Everything that is living eats, and because of this, needs to expel waste products out of their bodies. Humans and other organisms use the soil to decompose these waste materials into new materials. These new materials are used by other living things. Once a living thing dies, it falls into the soil and the biological and chemical processes convert these dead materials into new materials and food for living things. This is nature’s way of recycling.

The Ancient Rule - “Whatever is affixed to the soil belongs to the soil”

SOIL AND THE ENVIRONMENT Soils have a large function in the health of ecosystem

functions in the world. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES Soil is the link between the air, water, rocks, and organisms, and is responsible for many different functions in the natural world that we call ecosystem services. These soil functions include: air quality and composition, temperature regulation, carbon and nutrient cycling, water cycling and quality, natural "waste" (decomposition) treatment and recycling, and habitat for most living things and their food. HABITAT Soils are the environment in which seeds grow. They provide heat, nutrients, and water that are available for use to nuture plants to maturity. These plants form together with other plants and organisms to create ecosystems. Ecosystems depend on the soil, and soils can help determine where ecosystems are located (check out the Around the World Page for more examples.) These plants then provide valuable habitat and food sources for animals, bacteria, and other things. AIR QUALITY AND COMPOSITION A well covered soil prevents erosion. During times of high winds, wind blows across the exposed soils, and suspended them in the air. These are easily inhaled and accumulate in lung tissues causing major respiratory problems. These particles can contain fungi and bacteria, which can cause infection and diseases. TEMPERATURE REGULATION Soil temperature plays an important role in many processes, which take place in the soil such as chemical reactions and biological interactions. This includes important processes like seed germination, bugs and microbes that live in the environment, and how quickly plant and animals break down. In colder soils, there is less biological and chemical reactions compared to warmer ones, therefore, there may be more carbon stored in the soils.

“Land, then, is not merely soil; it is a fountain of energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants, and animals.”

Aldo Leopold

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THE SOILS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

The soils of Jammu and Kashmir State have been classified into the undermentioned 8 groups: 1. BROWN EARTH/BROWN FOREST SOILS: These soils have

been spotted in parts of Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla District. Soil are of silt loam to clay texture and fine granular subangular blocky structure. Soil Organic carbon and total nitrogen contents are nearly uniform upto 60 – 70 cm depth. Soils are slightly to moderately alkaline (pH 7.8 – 8.3). Soils may contain upto 10% calcium carbonate. Their water holding capacity exceeds 40%. They belong to groups Haplustalfs, Ochraualfs, Eustrochrepts, Hapludolls, Udorthrents, Cryothrents and Udifluvents. These soils are mostly utilized for growing safflower, but crops like maize, wheat etc. and fruit trees like apple, cherry and pear are also grown.

2. DEGRADED OR GREY BROWN PODZOLIC SOILS: These soils occur in parts of Baderwah, Ramnagar, Poonch, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and are of loam to clay texture at their surface and clay loam to clay texture at their sub-surface and of fine granular well developed angular block structure. These soils are slightly acidic in reaction (pH 6.1 – 6.3). They belong to great groups Hapludalfs, Hapludolls, Eutrochrepts and Haplumbrepts.

3. RED AND YELLOW PODZOLIC SOILS: These soils occur in parts of Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch. They are of coarse texture, Water holding capacity is 40%. They belong to great group hapludalfs, haplustalfs.

4. HILL OR MOUNTAIN FOREST SOILS: These are sandy loam to loamy, fine to weakly granular moderately alkaline (pH 7.4 – 8.4) and calcareous (4 to 10% calcium carbonate) soils. They occur at lower elevations and have 32-41% water holding capacity. They belong great group cryoboralfs and hapludolls.

5. MOUNTAIN MEADOW SOILS: Sandy loam to clay loam fine to coarse granular mountain meadow soils occur in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Lolab, Gurez, and Changthang. They are alkaline (pH more than 7 – 9) and high in organic carbon. Water holding capacity of (51-61%) They belong to great groups Cryoboralfs and Argiudolls.

6. LITHOSOLS: Gravelly loam to gravelly silty loam, coarse to weak granular slightly alkaline (pH 7.1 – 7.8). Lithosols occur on steep slopes in the forest hills of 400 to 600 meters above sea level Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch Districts. They contain 0.22 – 0.60 % organic carbon and 33 to 38% water holding capacity. They belong to great group Ustorthrents.

7. SALINE ALKALI SOILS: These soils occur in alluvial belt of Jammu (RS Pura/Bishna), Kathua (Ramkol/Challain) and Changthang area of Ladakh having ECE more than 4mmhos/cm at 25OC but their ESP is less than 15. They belong to Ustifluvents, Hapluaquents and Ustorthents great groups.

8. ALLUVIAL SOILS: These soils cover plains of Kathua, Jammu Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur in Jammu, Vales in Kashmir and Sindh in Ladakh sub divisions. They are situated in the flood plains of Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum and Sindh rivers and their tributaries. They are old and new alluvial soils. Old alluvial soil contain high amounts of Calcium Carbonate and are slightly to moderately alkaline (7.0–7.7) organic carbon between 0.28 – 0.61%. They belong to great group Ustifluvents and Udifluvents

Brown Earth / Brown Forest Soils

Grey Brown Podzolic Soils Red & Yellow Podzolic Soils

Hill or Mountain Forest Soils Mountain Meadow Soil

Lithosols

Saline Alkali Soils Alluvial Soils

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THE SOILS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR – THE KASHMIRI NOMENCLATURE

NAMBAL (PEATY SOILS): Near the banks of the Jhelum River and in the vicinity of the Wular, Manasbal and Anchar lakes is found the rich peaty soil, locally known as Nambal. In the years of normal rainfall and moderate snowfall, nambal soils give good yields of rape-seed, mustard, maize, oats, pulses and fodder. TAND (MOUNTAINOUS SOILS): The land on the slopes of mountains, reclaimed from the forests is called Tand soil. After reclamation the tand gives good yields of maize, pulses and fodder for two or three years, but under the impact of accelerated soil erosion the land loses its natural strength. Consequently, the productivity declines and after a period of about six to ten years the land acquires the shape of a pasture and culturable waste. ZABELZAMIN (ALKALINE SOILS): Patches of irrigated land if excessively irrigated lose their fertility and develop alkaline formations. Such adversely affected patches of saline and alkaline formations are known as zabelzamin. These soils are unproductive from the agricultural point of view unless especially treated with gypsum, water and manures. There are numerous other types of soils recognized by the Kashmiri farmers, such soils are Kharzamin, Tresh, Limb, Ront, Shath and Tats. KAREWA SOIL (WUDUR): Karewas are fresh-water (fluviatile and lacustrine) deposits found as low flat mounds or elevated plateaus in the Valley of Kashmir and the Kishtwar and Bhadarwah tracts of the Jammu Division. The important Karewas are found in Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam, Qazigund, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Baramulla, Laithpora, Chandhara, Pampore, Bijbehara, Awantipora, Islamabad (Anantnag), Mattan, Tral and Ganderbal. The Karewa soils are composed of fine, silty clays with sand boulder gravel, the coarse detritus being as a rule, restricted to the peripheral parts of the valley, while the finer variety prevails towards the central parts. The Karewa soils of Kashmir have enormous agricultural potential. Commercial and cash crops like saffron, almond, apples, walnut, peaches, pears, cherry, plum, etc., with orchards and saffron beds. Moreover, some leguminous and fodder crops are also grown in Karewa. The pampore Karewa is famous all over the world for saffron cultivation. Soil erosion and depleting soil fertility are the major problems of the karewa soils. It has been reported by the farmers of the Chandhara and Dusu villages (Pampore-Karewa) that with the passage of time the karewa soils are losing their resilience characteristics. As a matter of fact, the per unit production of saffron and almond has gone down substantially during the last three decades. The soil conservation practices need to be adopted to maintain the health of the karewa soils, making them economically more productive and ecologically more sustainable. The Kashmir farmers on the basis of their empirical experience recognize four classes of soils. CLAYEY SOIL (GURTI): This soil is found in the flood plains of Jhelum in the southern parts of Srinagar city and is subjected to annual fresh silt deposition. Gurti soil contains a large proportion of clay. Its water retaining capacity is high. At the time of scanty rainfall, it is considered to be good for cultivation of rice. But if rains are heavy, this soil gets compacted and achieves the shape of hard cakes, where ploughing becomes difficult labourious task. LOAMY SOIL (BAHIL): This soil is found above the level of flood plain, on the right bank of Jhelum, is highly fertile and suitable for paddy cultivation. The humus content is high which enriches the soil fertility. It does not require heavy manuring but if over manured, the soil becomes too strong, in which the rice crop shows more vegetative growth. SANDY LOAM (SEKIL): It has usually been found to the Sind valley in the north west of the city. In the Sekil soil, if field is artificially irrigated, good crops of rice are harvested in summer season. SANDY SILT (DAZANLAD): This soil is the mixture of sand and clay. A peculiar characteristic of Dazanlad is that the field turns red in colour when irrigation water stands in the fields. This soil can result good productivity if controlled irrigation and High Yielding Variety seeds are applied. This soil is generally found in the low lying areas in the west of the city and also occurs at the hilly areas also in the north (Husain, 2000). The other types of soil found are:

a) Vegetable soil Surh Zamin. b) Tract of land served by a natural spring. Lemb.

SOILS OF LADAKH: Excepting the soils deposited by the rivers and the glaciers, the soils of Ladakh are unique and have largely mechanical origin. In Ladakh, the highly weathered rocks, under the mechanical impact of insulation and frosting result into fine-grained, light-coloured soils which are deficient in humus contents. These soils are however, rich in potassium, nitrate, and phosphate and give excellent agricultural returns in the tracts where irrigation water is available. On the river terraces of Indus and its tributaries, the soils are of alluvial nature which are being utilized for the cultivation of vegetables, grim (a type of barley), wheat, small millets, pulses, fodder, apricot and orchids.

Karewa Soils with Saffron Unique Soils of Ladakh

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SOILS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

“Soils are endangered, but the degradation can be

rolled back. Population growth, industrialization

and climate change threaten soil health” Climate change can have a very big impact on soils and the functions that soil performs. In agriculture, climate change will affect crop production as changes in soil, air temperature and rainfall affect the ability of crops to reach maturity and their potential harvest. As the climate heats up, reductions in the amount of water available may be made up initially by irrigation. However, scarcity of water may prevent water being used for irrigation. Increasing damage to the land, or land degradation, will occur in the form of soil erosion, desertification and salinization, further impacting on the capability of soils to support the needs of agriculture. The unique balance between the soils of the world and the climate affects the nature and distribution of the world's natural and semi-natural ecosystems, providing water, nutrients and a growing medium. As climate changes, so too will the soil's ability to support current ecosystems, this will lead to changes in the communities of plants growing in different parts of the world. For example, in certain places plants suited to wetter conditions may lose out to plants able to cope with drier conditions. There are likely to be major changes in the distribution of water following climate change. Soil is an important part of the water cycle (or hydrological cycle) – the balances of this will also be affected by climate change. We know climate change will affect the lives we lead and the places we live. Current infrastructures, such as buildings and roads, will almost certainly have to change to meet new climatic conditions. Overall climate change will have a huge effect on the functions soil performs, and this therefore have a major influence on the future use of soils, often requiring significant adaptations to meet the changing climate. Climate change - which was the focus of the UN COP21 in Paris - is a further strong driver of soil change. Higher temperatures and related extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and storms impact on soil quantity and fertility in a number of ways, including reducing moisture and depleting the layers of nutrient-rich topsoil. They also contribute to an increase in the rate of soil erosion and shoreline retreat. “Soils are under increasing pressure of intensification and competing uses for cropping, forestry, pasture and urbanization. The demands of a growing population for food, feed and fibre are estimated to result in a 60 percent increase by 2050. These pressures combined with unsustainable land uses and management practices, as well as climate extremes, cause land degradation. Soil preservation and sustainable land management have therefore become essential for reversing the trend of soil degradation and ensuring food security and a sustainable future.”

There are 10 main threats to soil functions: soil erosion, soil organic carbon loss, nutrient imbalance, soil acidification, soil contamination, waterlogging, soil compaction, soil sealing, salinization and loss of soil biodiversity. ACT RAPIDLY TO BUILD ORGANIC MATTER IN SOILS It takes as much as 500 years for topsoil to grow by 2cm so we need to grow our soils through innovative management techniques. Organic matter is an essential element of soils. Apply small

doses of organic matter over time to encourage soil biodiversity to develop and flourish.

‘Mob stocking’ (where a large herd of livestock is confined to an area to intensively graze it) has also been shown to build organic matter very fast.

Encourage soil building organisms by inoculating with microbial ‘stews’

Experiment on infertile soils. There are projects like Sekem, in Egypt, which have shown how even desert can be turned into productive farmland.

PROTECT SOILS BY PLANTING TREES Plant roots protect soil structure by holding it together and

allowing air to penetrate in spaces around roots. They also encourage healthier soil communities through plant-fungal interactions.

Stop clear felling old growth forest on vulnerable soils, as trees protect soil, store carbon (organic matter) and help prevent salination and erosion.

Develop more agroforestry systems (mixtures of productive trees or shrubs and crops), so we have the yield, biodiversity and soil protection benefits of many more trees in our landscape

Restoring farmland to grassland rapidly builds up soils. Rotational systems that include temporary grass leys also help build soil organic matter.

Move towards mixed and organic farming so that you have sources of organic matter onsite.

EXAMINE THE IMPACT CHEMICAL INPUTS Encourage more research into how different chemicals and

fertilisers affect soil biology, including in combination. Non organic farmers need to know whether and how severely their inputs are hampering soil health, so they can choose less damaging inputs

REDUCE SOIL COMPACTION Shrink our tractors, get ground pressures lower, reduce

machinery passes and use GPS tracking so that we run on 5% of soil rather than the average 85% each year.

Start experimenting with growing perennial crops, as well as more trees, to reduce the amount of ploughing and sowing needed.

REDUCE THE CHANCES OF EROSION Discourage crops which tend to be associated with increased

erosion risk. For example maize needs loads of fertiliser and herbicide, is wide rowed and harvested late, meaning that erosion can be a problem, especially on sloping land.

HELP MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE A fully functioning soil reduces the risk of floods and protects

underground water supplies by neutralising or filtering out potential pollutants and storing as much as 3750 tonnes of water per hectare.

Soils with flourishing soil biology can cope better with rising temperatures and aridity and prevent nutrient imbalances.

The International Panel on Climate Change states that 89% of agricultural emissions can be mitigated by improving soil carbon levels. Research shows that organic farming is the best way in which to do this.

ACHIEVING HEALTHY SOILS

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After two years of intensive work, 2015 was declared the International Year of Soils by the 68th UN General Assembly (A/RES/68/232). The IYS aims to be a platform for raising awareness of the importance of soils for food security and essential eco-system functions. THE 5 PILLARS OF ACTION The Global Soil Partnership will support the process leading to the adoption of sustainable development goals for soils. It will contribute to environmental wellbeing through, for example, preventing soil erosion and degradation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting carbon sequestration and promoting sustainable use of agricultural inputs for soil health and ecosystems management. It will equally contribute to human wellbeing and social equity through improved use and governance of soil resources, finding alternatives to soil degrading practices through participatory experiential processes, and being sensitive to issues of gender and rights of indigenous peoples. In order to achieve these objectives, the GSP should address five main pillars of action:

1. Promote sustainable management of soil resources for soil protection, conservation and sustainable productivity 2. Encourage investment, technical cooperation, policy, education awareness and extension in soil 3. Promote targeted soil research and development focusing on identified gaps and priorities and synergies with related

productive, environmental and social development actions 4. Enhance the quantity and quality of soil data and information: data collection (generation), analysis, validation,

reporting, monitoring and integration with other disciplines 5. Harmonization of methods, measurements and indicators for the sustainable management and protection of soil

resources To celebrate the closure of the International Year of Soils and the World Soil Day, many events of all kinds took place worldwide between the 4th and the 7th of December 2015. World Soil Day was celebrated at FAO headquarter on the 4th of December. "Let us promote sustainable soil management rooted in proper soil governance and sound investments. Together, we can promote the cause of soils, a truly solid ground for life," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon through the message he sent for the occasion. A vast number of celebrations were also organized by other FAO offices and other partners around the world. Throughout the year a vast amount of information material has been produced in numerous languages. FAO has also released some key publications on soils this year: Revised World Soil Charter, the Farmer's Compost handbook and Understanding Mountain Soils: A Contribution from mountain areas to the International Year of Soils 2015.

2015 – THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SOILS

Jammu, Dec 5: In spirit with the UN declaration of year 2015 as International year of soils, Department of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing observes World Soil Day at Charitable Home for Destitute Children, Channi Rama Jammu and also hosted 389th Tree Talk interaction to spread awareness on values of healthy soils and food productivity linked climate change concerns. S N Sharma-President CHDC, while welcoming guests, invitees and office bearers, applauded the concept of Tree Talk campaign but expressed concern that Shivaliks are facing soil erosion and water scarcity and appealed the masses for tree plantation and conservation of water resources in the backdrop of climate change. O P Sharma highlighted traditional art and craft based on clay. He shared that soils act as sponge to hold water, soil micro-organisms maintain soil health and soil degradation is a major concern in Shivaliks and Chenab valley. S C Sharma Retd CCF shared concern and said that widespread use of non-biodegradable plastics need to be phased out so as to revive eco-friendly lifestyle.

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT & REMOTE SENSING OBSERVES WORLD SOIL DAY

World Soil Day Celebration at CHDC, Channi Rama, Jammu

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PM launches ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’

J&K ENVIS Centre Department of

Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing Jammu & Kashmir

Majid Farooq Coordinator-ENVIS

Associates

Amreena Yousuf Sheikh Sajid

Website: jkenvis.nic.in Feedback email: jk-env@nic.in

Tel: 0194-2490823, 01942454847, 0191-2474553

What is Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme? It is a Government of India’s scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture. It will be implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory Governments. A SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his holding and advise him on the dosage of fertilizers and also the needed soil amendments that he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run. What is a Soil Health Card? SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings. It will contain the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely N,P,K (Macro-nutrients) ; S (Secondary- nutrient) ; Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micro - nutrients) ; and pH, EC, OC (Physical parameters). Based on this, the SHC will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment required for the farm. How can a farmer use a SHC? The card will contain an advisory based on the soil nutrient status of a farmer’s holding. It will show recommendations on dosage of different nutrients needed. Further, it will advise the farmer on the fertilizers and their quantities he should apply, and also the soil amendments that he should undertake, so as to realize optimal yields.

REFERENCES 1. http://www.fao.org/ 2. http://www.soils4teachers.org/ 3. http://www.faisalmagray.com/2013/07/photo-

essay-look-at-ancient-craft.html 4. www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in 5. Soil Genesis, Classification Survey and Evaluation,

Volume 2 by A.K. Kolay

INCREASE YOUR HANDPRINT

New Delhi 5th Dec 2015: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the farmers on the occasion of World Soil Day and said that his government is committed to improve the health of the soil and provide guidance to farmers on soil related issues. Prime Minister Modi took to twitter to express his views. "On World Soil Day we reaffirm our commitment to making our soil healthier. When soil is in good health, our farmers get more wealth," the Prime Minister tweeted. "Government's Soil Heath Card is an endeavour to improve the health of the soil & provide guidance to our farmers on soil related issues," he said in another tweet. He also said that the government would launch nationwide initiatives for the farmers. "There will be nationwide initiatives where farmers will get soil health cards & other inputs. Best wishes to farmers & officials," he tweeted.

PM gives slogan: “Swasth Dharaa. Khet Haraa.” Healthy Earth. Green Farm.

Rajasthan, 19 Feb 2015: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, called for focusing attention on the health of soil in agricultural areas across the country, to boost productivity and bring about increased prosperity. He was speaking after launching the Union Government’s nationwide ‘Soil Health Card’ Scheme from Suratgarh, Rajasthan. He described agriculture as the key to poverty eradication. Referring to the song “Vande Mataram,” he said that in order to achieve land that is truly “Sujalam, Suphalam,” it is necessary to nurture the soil. He said the soil health card scheme is a step towards fulfilling this dream. Calling for soil testing to be made a regular feature, the Prime Minister said a new class of entrepreneurs could set up soil testing labs even in small towns. The Prime Minister said schemes such as the soil health card scheme, and the recently launched Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme were relevant across the country. Therefore he had recently launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme in Haryana, and was now launching this scheme in Rajasthan. He said it was essential to save both “Beti” and “Dharti Ma.” 14 crore Soil Health Cards are envisaged to be issued over the next 3 years.

PM MODI ASSURES HELP TO FARMERS ON WORLD SOIL DAY

SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi launching Soil Health Card