UPSC Prelims 2010 Q24: Geography – Physical Geography & Geomorphology
With reference to soil conservation, consider the following practices:
1. Crop rotation
2. Sand fences
3. Terracing
4. Wind breaks
Which of the above are considered appropriate methods for soil conservation in India?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Appropriate soil conservation practices in India
Several agronomic and structural methods help prevent soil erosion and degradation across India's varied terrain.
| Practice | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Crop rotation | Correct | Rotating crops maintains soil fertility and structure, reducing erosion risk from monoculture depletion |
| 2. Sand fences | Correct | Sand fences help stabilize loose, sandy soils and check sand/dune encroachment in arid and coastal tracts of India |
| 3. Terracing | Correct | Terracing on hill slopes reduces runoff speed and prevents soil loss on sloped land |
| 4. Wind breaks | Correct | Wind breaks (tree lines/shelterbelts) reduce wind erosion of topsoil, widely used in India's dryland regions |
Soil conservation methods in India:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agronomic | Crop rotation |
| Structural (sloped land) | Terracing |
| Wind/sand erosion control | Wind breaks and sand fences, especially in arid/coastal tracts |
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Practices 2 and 4 (sand fences, wind breaks) are also valid, so '1, 2 and 3 only' is incomplete.
- (b) Incorrect. Practices 1 and 3 (crop rotation, terracing) are also valid, so '2 and 4 only' is too narrow.
- (c) Incorrect. Practice 2 (sand fences) is also a valid method, so '1, 3 and 4 only' is incomplete.
- (d) CORRECT. Crop rotation, sand fences, terracing, and wind breaks are all recognized soil conservation methods suited to different Indian terrains.
Key point
Soil conservation in India uses all four methods together: crop rotation (agronomic), sand fences (arid/coastal sand stabilization), terracing (sloped land), and wind breaks (wind erosion control).
Remember
Soil conservation in India: crop rotation, sand fences, terracing, and wind breaks — all four are recognized methods.
Common mistakes
- Assuming sand fences are too narrow/desert-specific to count as a standard Indian conservation method, when they are applied in arid and coastal tracts.
- Missing terracing's specific role on sloped/hilly terrain.
- Not connecting wind breaks to dryland wind-erosion control.
Exam tip
India's soil conservation toolkit spans multiple terrains: crop rotation, sand fences, terracing, and wind breaks — each suited to a different erosion risk.
Sources
- Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India — Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects (2008)
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy — Land Resources and Agriculture