Meghalaya Soil Conservation

Meghalaya soil conservation policy is based on the National Land Use Policy in which land has been described as a mix of soil, water, flora and fauna. As per the policy, the main aim of soil conservation in Meghalaya is to develop and maintain the productivity of the land for agricultural purpose as well as for the management of forest.

The other aims behind soil conservation at Meghalaya is to :

Prevent droughts and floods by sustaining a balanced relationship between land and water cycle.

Checking destruction of watersheds from sedimentation, deforestation, land degradation, hydrologic deterioration and soil erosion.

Secure the employment in rural areas by creating employment opportunities.

Developing and maintaining spoiled land areas, wastelands and fallows so as to meet the growing demands of land for various sectors.

Hence to raise awareness for soil conservation around Meghalaya, the state government has set up a Soil and Water Conservation Department that looks after soil conservation in Meghalaya. The department have initiated the following programs in this regard :

• Jhum Control Programs : It looks after soil deterioration due to jhum or bun cultivation. The program lays stress on arranging a permanent settlement of jhummia family.
  
  
• Watershed Management Programs : The program aims at using the land and vegetation resources for the optimum production at some selective micro watersheds.
  
  
• Soil Conservation Programs : The program aims at removing the risks of soil erosion, land degradation, etc. The farmers have to take up the faulty farming practices.

For soil conservation of Meghalaya, measures such as erosion control, afforestation, terracing and reclamation, water conservation and distribution, water harvesting and conservation of farm ponds are taken up. Meghalaya soil conservation would thereby increase the productivity of the land thereby generating more revenue for the state economy.