Assessment of Soil Erosion in Himachal Pradesh

Land degradation due to water erosion is the major factor affecting biomass productivity in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Its extent of occurrence was assessed using universal soil loss equation (USLE). Six parameters of USLE were computed by using the data collected during soil resource mapping of the state and also using other secondary data. The generated soil erosion map of Himachal Pradesh showed great variation in erosion rates ranging from as low as 0.08 to as high as 683.10 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. More than 10% area experienced extremely severe erosion (> 80 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), while 28.41% of total geographical area of the state had annual soil loss less than 10 t ha⁻¹. About 9% area of the state had moderate soil loss in the range of 1020 t ha⁻¹. Severe (20–40 t ha⁻¹) and very severe (40–80 t ha⁻¹) erosion classes has 7.40 and 5.74% area, respectively. Sound soil management and agronomic practices for slight erosion classes and bio-engineering measures viz. land levelling, bench terracing, agro-forestry practices etc. for moderate erosion class are recommended for bringing down soil loss. Severe and extremely severe erosion classes require comprehensive soil conservation measures on watershed basis in participatory mode.