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ENVIS Newsletter April June, 2015

SOILS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR
CONTENTS
Introduction J&K ENVIS Centre
Role of Soil Department of Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing
Jammu & Kashmir
Kraal/Kumhar An Ancient Craft
Soil & Environment
INTRODUCTION
Soils of J&K
Soil has been a defining component of cultures since the beginning of
Soils of J&K Kashmiri Classification civilization. Some of the first written words were recorded on clay
Soils and Climate Change tablets and water was carried in clay pitchers. It provides the base for
Achieving Healthy Soils all buildings (although some may be able to support a skyscraper and
2015 - International Year of Soils some others may not be able to support your weight), it holds the clues
World Soil Day of past cultures (to be revealed by archaeologists or erosion), it supports
Soil Health Card Scheme the web of life (connecting all ecosystems), provides materials to build
houses, is a source of nutraceuticals (definite in the American Heritage
FROM THE DIRECTORS DESK Dictionary as a food or naturally occurring food supplement thought
to have a beneficial effect on human health), and of course, provides
Healthy soil is the foundation of the food
the base for our food, fiber, feed, and even some biofuels
system. It produces healthy crops that in
Soils are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and
turn nourish people. Maintaining a
countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once-living
healthy soil demands care and
things. It forms at the surface of land it is the skin of the earth. Soil
sustainable use from farmers because
farming is sensitive to anthropogenic
is capable of supporting plant life and is vital to life on earth. Soil
factors. By definition, farming disturbs performs many critical functions in almost any ecosystem (whether a
the natural soil processes including that farm, forest, grassland, marsh, or suburban watershed).
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
WHAT IS SOIL
organic matter and plant nutrients, and
The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate
to minimize the losses of these soil
surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of
components caused by leaching, runoff
land plants.
and erosion. A better understanding of
The unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the surface of the
the linkages between soil biodiversity
and ecosystem function and the impact
earth that has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and
of human interventions will enable the environmental factors of: climate (including water and temperature
reduction of negative impacts and the effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting
more effective benefits of soil biological on parent material over a period of time.
activity for sustainable and productive SO THEN, WHAT IS DIRT?
agriculture. Dirt is what gets on our clothes or under our fingernails. It is soil that
Om Prakash Sharma, IFS is out of place in our world whether tracked inside by shoes or on
Director our clothes. Dirt is also soil that has lost the characteristics that give it
DEE&RS, J&K the ability to support life it is dead.
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ROLE OF SOIL KRAAL/KUMHAR - AN ANCIENT CRAFT
Take anything in your life and you can trace it back to soil. by FAISAL MAGRAY
We cannot survive without soils! While we are often not Having served Kashmiri homes for centuries, traditional
aware of it, soils really do directly or indirectly affect every earthen pottery might soon become a thing of the past. Pottery
part of our lives: from food, water and air availability and took the shape of indigenous Kashmiri art and some people
quality, to engineering implications to various essential adopted it as a profession. Pottery is one such art, which was
ecosystem services, to influences on human cultures and once very popular in Kashmir. The people, who are associated
careers. Soils produce our food: our crop plants are grown in with this art, are called Kraal (in kashmiri) (Kumhar in
soil, our livestock eat crops grown in soil, wildlife feeds on Urdu/Hindi) and (Potter in English).
plants grown in soil, even fish eat plants, insects, etc, that at Hundreds of people were, once, associated with this trade and
some point in their life-cycle are directly linked to soil. products made by them were used for domestic purpose. The
potter used to make numerous utensils with different designs
Soils have a role in food production, clothing, water and air
in their workshop. Pottery in Kashmir has a long history. The
quality, shelters and buildings, art, medicine, and various
archaeological sites of Burzahama in Srinagar and Gufkral in
other parts of life.
Pulwama which dated back 5000 years also revealed the
Food Production: All life is dependent on soil for evidence of ancient Kashmir pottery. The earthen vessels such
sustenance. Plants acquire their minerals (nutrients) and as jars, gharas, handis, jugs, incense burners, bottles and
water from the soil. Animals acquire their nutrients from earthen lamps were found there. It is a wheel driven by hands.
plants. Soil organisms are critical to transformations of In the middle of it is placed a lump of clay from which pots are
nutrients for food productions. Soil quality determines the made. When desired pot is ready, it is then detached from the
natural fertility, water holding capacity which coupled with wheel by a special thread called kralpan (in kashmiri). From
the climate determines yields. large vessels to miniature cups, they are first baked in the potters
Clothing: All clothing materials come from plants and miniature kiln and then decorated. After then they are carried
animals. Leather, wool, and furs come from animals that to the adjacent village markets where they are sold.
humans have raised or hunted. Linen and cotton are woven In Nishat, Srinagar, the locality of Kral Sangri was known for
together from plant fibers, and silk is created using the pottery making. Young and old in each family would make
silkworm (animal) on a silk plant. Clothes that are made earthen pots. However, now only a few families make these
from polyester and other types of man-made chemicals still earthen utensils in the entire locality. Pottery, once the main
come from natural products, like coal (which used to be soil) source of income for many, is now a closed chapter the
inhabitants do not want to return to. During the past few
and petroleum, and still require the air and water filtered by
decades these earthen pots have been replaced with aluminium,
soil and what grows in it.
plastic and steel products, affecting the livelihood of a large
Art & Culture: For centuries, traditional earthen pottery was number of artisans engaged in the trade.
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.
Kashmiri Potter at Work (Photo Credit Faisal Magray)
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.

Traditional Earthen Pottery exhibit during Forest Food Festival at IHM Rajbagh

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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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 natures way of recycling.
The Ancient Rule - Whatever is affixed to the soil
belongs to the soil
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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 Brown Earth / Brown Forest Soils

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 Grey Brown Podzolic Soils Red & Yellow Podzolic Soils

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,
Hill or Mountain Forest Soils Mountain Meadow Soil
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 Lithosols

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 (7.07.7) organic carbon between 0.28 0.61%. They
belong to great group Ustifluvents and Udifluvents
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


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.
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ACHIEVING HEALTHY SOILS
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.
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2015 THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SOILS

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.

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT &

REMOTE SENSING OBSERVES WORLD SOIL DAY
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. World Soil Day Celebration at CHDC, Channi Rama, Jammu

PM launches Soil Health Card Scheme
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 Governments 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.
Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi launching Soil Health Card
PM MODI ASSURES HELP TO
FARMERS ON WORLD SOIL DAY
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.
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SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME
What is Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme?
It is a Government of Indias 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 farmers 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
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