New Delhi: The conservation of soil is important to keep the Earth healthy and a place where the future generations can live. The protection of soil is necessary for a number of factors. Every year on December 5, World Soil Day is observed as a means to shift the focus on the importance of healthy soil and also to strive for the sustainable management of soil resources. In this article, we will learn more about this day.
How did the World Soil Day start?
In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) recommended about an international day to celebrate the importance of soil. Under Thailand’s leadership and within the Global Soil Partnership’s framework, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supported the establishment of World Soil Day as a platform to raise global awareness.
In June 2013, the World Soil Day was unanimously endorsed in the FAO Conference. At the 68th UN General Assembly, its official adoption was requested. The UNGA, in December 2013, designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day. The date December 5 was selected because it was the official birthday of the King of Thailand, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who officially sanctioned the event.
Why is World Soil Day important?
The survival of our planet depends on soil and more than 95 per cent of our food comes from it. Also, plants get 15 of the 18 naturally occurring chemical elements necessary for them from the soil. However, human activity and climate change is degrading the soil leading to erosion which disrupts the natural balance, reduces infiltration of water and the presence of life and decreases nutrients and vitamins in food.
Sustainable soil management practices like crop rotation, minimum tillage, cover cropping and addition of organic matter result in an improvement in the health of soil, increase water infiltration and storage and bring down erosion and pollution. They preserve the biodiversity of soil and improve its fertility, and also play a role in carbon sequestration, thereby against climate change.
World Soil Day 2024: What is the theme this year?
The theme of this year’s World Soil Day is “Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage”. The theme highlights the significance of having accurate data and information on soil to understand its characteristics and make informed decisions on sustainable soil management for food security.
World Soil Day, observed annually on December 5, highlights the critical role healthy soil plays in food security and environmental sustainability. The day promotes awareness of soil degradation caused by human activity and climate change. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
