Tags: Shimla

Shimla, Feb 18 : Expressing concern over large-scale soil erosion in Himachal Pradesh mainly due to landslides, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said today said the government has initiated several measures for soil treatment.

Congress member Surendra Bhardwaj, through a private member resolution, had demanded the state government start a pilot project to check damage to the fertile land due to landslides in different parts of the state.

Dhumal said according to scientific surveys, the soil of the state has the capacity to bear erosion of only 10 tonnes of soil per hectre but this erosion has unfortunately risen to between 16 tonnes to 40 tonnes per hectare at present.

According to an estimate, about 240 lakh tonnes fertile soil is being eroded every year due to different reasons which is a matter to great concern, he said.

The state's about 53.80 per cent soil is affected by erosion, out of which the impact on 34 per cent soil is so immense that it was on the verge of losing its fertility.

Landslide and erosion are increasing in the state due to nature and man-made reasons, disturbing the delicate ecology and environment, he said.

The state agriculture department is spending around Rs 3 crore every year for checking landslides and treatment of 1500 hectre areas, Dhumal said.

In addition, the rural development department is spending about Rs 7.25 crore every year on these work and for treatment of 14000 hectres of land.

A proposal of Rs 120 crore has been sent to the Centre for conservation of natural resources, he said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Add to del.icio.us | digg this | Stumble It