A disturbing new study has uncovered severe soil degradation occurring across the Dhansiripar region of Nagaland, where once-fertile lands are rapidly transforming into uncultivable territory.
Scientific Findings Reveal Soil Crisis
The comprehensive research examined soil conditions spanning six villages and documented alarming changes that threaten agricultural productivity. Strongly acidic soil conditions measuring between pH 4.9 and 5.9 were found throughout the surveyed areas, creating an environment hostile to crop growth.
Professor Tanmoy Karak from Nagaland University's soil science department identified urbanization and improper land use as primary drivers behind this environmental deterioration. "The acidity levels we've documented could severely impede future agricultural productivity if left unaddressed," warned Prof. Karak.
The study revealed that approximately 60% of the land now shows low organic carbon content, leading to a steady decline in soil fertility that affects farming communities directly.
Erosion Risks and Nutrient Imbalance
Through the Soil Structural Stability Index, researchers determined that Dhansiripar's soil has become highly vulnerable to erosion and fertility loss. This is particularly concerning in low-land paddy zones, where the structural integrity of soil is crucial for successful cultivation.
The research team assessed multiple critical soil properties including:
- Soil acidity levels
- Bulk density and porosity
- Water-holding capacity
- Organic carbon content
- Nutrient availability patterns
Their findings indicate that current agricultural practices, combined with rapid expansion and forest conversion, are directly contributing to increasing erosion risks and declining fertility.
Call for Immediate Action
Reshinaro Tzudir, a PhD scholar at Nagaland University, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that degradation has been observed across numerous areas within the region.
Professor Jagadish K Patnaik, vice-chancellor of Nagaland University, has called for the immediate adoption of sustainable land-management practices to combat this growing crisis.
The research, published in the international journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment by Springer, represents a collaborative effort between Nagaland University and several prestigious institutions including ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, Dibrugarh University, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, and Diphu Medical College and Hospital.
Researchers aim to provide data-driven insights that will help farmers improve crop yields while supporting sustainable agriculture practices. This approach seeks to enhance local livelihoods and contribute to national environmental resilience goals, offering hope for reversing the current degradation trend through science-based interventions and community engagement.
