main causes of soil erosion in pakistan by mr allah dad khan

Main Causes of Soil Erosion

Soil erosion by water in the Indus plains, thePotowar Plateau, the foot-slopes and mountainareas is understood to be largely the result ofgeological processes initiated some 20,000years ago or even earlier. But the erosion

processhas undoubtedly been accelerated by peoplewho, through ignorance, have disturbed theecological equilibrium of these areas


The activitiesinclude:1. Destruction of natural vegetation cover byuprooting or cutting plants for cultivation,fuel, timber or forage needs and discouragingregeneration through uncontrolledbrowsing by livestock — a common situationin the northern and western highlands andthe Potowar Plateau


Loosening of old stabilised loess surfaces bybulldozing, in an effort to bring land underthe plough, hastening the slumping of loosenedloess material and its ultimate erosionby run-off — a common observation in thePotowar.


Persistent shallow tillage of sloping loesssoils, resulting in the formation of a somewhatimpermeable plough pan near the soilsurface, reducing the water infiltration capacityof the soil and increasing run-off — a normalpractice followed in the cultivated partsof the Potowar.


soils without adequate measures to controlrun-off, leading to mountain slopes beingstripped of soil — a situation most commonlyfaced in the highlands with relatively highannual rainfall.


Inadequate or ineffective terracing, low andweak field embankments and poor water control, allowing frequent overtopping of rainwater and a torrential flow on to the lower slopes — a situation frequently seen in the Potowar and in the relatively humid parts of mountainous areas


6. Allowing or leaving sloping cultivated landwithout crop cover during the rainy season —mainly because of the unavailability of efficienttillage implements or labour, and alsobecause of poor farmer awareness aboutappropriate crops for these climatic conditions.


Burrowing by wild animals such as mice, porcupinesand boar, which allows rainwater torush into the soil, leading to piping andslumping — a common phenomenon in thecultivated lands of the Potowar region, especiallyalong the edge of terraces


Decrease in the organic content of cultivatedsoils as a result of continuous cropping withoutfertilizer or organic manure use. Thisresults in decreased soil permeability andincreased run-off — a normal situation in therain-fed or barani areas


Denudation of sandy ridges through overgrazing,burning or uprooting and felling ofplants by nomads and local inhabitants — asituation commonly experienced in allaccessible parts of the sand plains. This situationis especially critical around the populatedareas of Thal and in a 10-kilometrewide strip adjoining irrigated land inCholistan and Thar


Extension of cultivation on stabilised andsemi-stabilised sand ridges resulting in theloosening of surface soil and favouring the'pick up' of sand particles by the wind — acommon situation in the northern parts of Thal and the south-eastern parts of Thar


Levelling of the lower parts of sand ridges in an effort to facilitate tillage/irrigation or to overcome waterlogging in the adjoining flat irrigated areas — a fact commonly observed in the northern part of the canal area of T h a l


Fallowing of land during dry windy periods, allowing abrasion of topsoil by winds — a common practice enforced by the general shortage of irrigation water in the Indus plains.


Untimely tillage and undue loosening of topsoil of dry fallow fields by some farmers, facilitating the blowing-off of finer soil particles — a practice usually followed in intensively cultivated areas, by farmers with adequate family labour and by those employing labour on a monthly or annual basis.

main causes of soil erosion in pakistan by mr allah dad khan

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