1Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
2Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi-110012, India
3Institute of Institute of Environment & Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
*Corresonding author: amitavar@bhu.ac.in
Online published on 26 September, 2016.
The United Nations has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. The central aim is to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. At this important juncture there is a tremendous responsibility in our shoulder which has to be enacted with a multifaceted approach interlinking knowledge, commitment, ethics and effective dissemination. A comprehensive full awareness has to be created among all stakeholders about the fundamental roles of soils for human life; appreciate its contributions to food security and nutrition, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Now it is high time to promote effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources and sensitize decision-makers about the need for robust investment in sustainable soil management activities, to ensure healthy soils for different land users and population groups under diversified agro ecological situations.
United Nations, ecosystem functions, fundamental roles, population groups, ecological situations
