What are the different types of environmental problems of land resources in India?
Land resources in India face several environmental problems arising from faulty strategies of irrigation and agricultural development.
Degradation of cultivable land is a serious problem that leads to depletion of soil fertility. The situation is particularly alarming in irrigated areas where agricultural land has lost its fertility due to alkalisation and salinisation of soils and waterlogging.
Excessive use of chemicals such as insecticides and pesticides has led to their concentration in toxic amounts in the soil profile. This contaminates the soil and affects its natural composition and health.
The displacement of leguminous crops from the cropping pattern in irrigated areas and the substantial reduction in the duration of fallow due to multiple cropping have obliterated the process of natural fertilization such as nitrogen fixation. This affects the natural nutrient cycle of the soil.
In rainfed areas located in humid and semi-arid tropics, land degradation occurs through soil erosion by water and wind erosion, which are often induced by human activities. These various forms of degradation collectively threaten the productivity and sustainability of land resources in India.
Explanation
This question is from Chapter 2: Land Resources and Agriculture. The answer draws from the section 'Degradation of Cultivable Land' which outlines multiple environmental problems: (1) loss of soil fertility through alkalisation, salinisation and waterlogging in irrigated areas, (2) toxic accumulation of chemicals from excessive pesticide/insecticide use, (3) disruption of natural nitrogen fixation due to changed cropping patterns, and (4) soil erosion in rainfed areas. The answer follows the 5-mark format with 5 paragraphs covering all key points from the textbook context.