World Soilday is held annually on 5thDecember as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources. The day began to generate awareness on how people inadvertently damage the planet. Most of it stems from ignorance and the best way to counter that is to educate ourselves and those around us.
An international day to celebrate soil was recommended by International Union of Soil Sciences(IUSS) in 2002.Under the leadership of late king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej and within the framework of the Global soil partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness platform. In India under the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Soil health card scheme programme was launched at Suratgarh, Rajasthan on Feb 19, 2015 to assess the nutrient status of every farm holding in the country which aware the farmers about the appropriate use of nutrients required for a crop. So far 24.17 Crore Soil Health Cards have been issued to farmers under this scheme in India.
The soil beneath us does not always get the proper credit it deserves. It supports the life of a huge number of living organisms and keeps the earth alive. Soil day should be celebrated because the soil gives these tiny creatures a home to live in, and they, in turn, provide the soil with nutrients. This symbiotic relationship results in a sustainable environment which seven billion people call home. This day would signify the importance of soil in our ecosystem and the critical impacts which the destruction of soil has.
Soils have been seen as inferior resources, and negligence is shown by both the people and the governments of the world. Unlike the natural resources, degradation of soil is something that does not come to notice easily by the inexperienced eye. It is a slow, silent process which takes its sweet time but the effects can be disastrous.
Our planet’s survival depends on the precious relationship with soil. Over 95 % of our food comes from soils. Besides they supply 15 of the 18 naturally occurring chemical elements essential to plants. However, in the face of climate change and human activity, our soils are being degraded. Erosion disrupts the natural balance, reducing water filtration and availability for all forms of life and decreasing the level of vitamins and nutrients in food.
The theme for this year is Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage which underscores the importance of accurate soil data and information in understanding the characteristics and supporting informed decision making on sustainable soil management for food security.
Collective efforts can initiate change and influence in various ways. Celebrating world soil day at home, school or participating in community events will have its profound impact. Social media can be an ideal platform which can further bring the effects to light to everyone.
Meghalaya being a hilly state with high rainfall, soil acidity is an omnipresent feature where severity of Al and P toxicity is very high. Schemes like soil tests, soil health card etc. under National mission for sustainable agriculture etc. need to be focussed more with an objective to make healthy and productive soil. Organising training on correct usage of fertilisers etc. is the need of the hour for overall health of the soil and its ecosystem.
Healthy soil is the lifeline of our planet, ensuring a stable food supply, preserving clean water, enhancing biodiversity, and helping to mitigate climate change. Let us unite in recognizing its importance and advocating for solutions that promote sustainable land management practices to protect soil health and fertility.
