Land degradation is the

temporary or permanent

lowering of the

productive capacity of

land. It thus covers the

various forms of soil

degradation, adverse

human impacts on water

resources, deforestation

etc.

Factors responsible for

land degradation are:-

Loss of vegetation occuring due to deforestation

Unsustainable fuel & fodder extraction

Shifting cultivation

Encroachment into forest lands

Forest fires and over grazing

Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures

Improper crop rotation

Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides

Improper planning and management of irrigation systems

Extraction of ground water in excess of the recharge capacity

Open access resource

Poverty of the agriculture – dependent people