While India celebrated the Green Revolution, which created huge rice and wheat bowls, pulses, and vegetables, we ignored what it did to our land. Overuse of chemical pesticides and fertilisers poisoned our fields and crops. The soil lost its natural nutrients, becoming toxic and contaminated. Excess fertilisers increased nitrate in the soil. Excessive farming led to the water table collapsing as bore wells went deeper and deeper every year. For political convenience, most states provided free water to farmers, resulting in careless over-irrigation and the depletion of precious water resources.
Rattan Lal, a professor of soil science at the Ohio State University, awarded the World Food Prize in 2020, told Mongabay India, “The Green Revolution increased food production from 50 million tonnes to 300 million tonnes, but soil degradation followed.”
Since the 20th century, soil degradation has accelerated due to man-made factors like mining, deforestation, overgrazing, monoculture farming, excessive tillage, and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
India is the largest producer and user of pesticides, too. Overusing pesticides has destroyed millions of hectares of soil in India. “A healthy soil suppresses diseases and pests, and as it helps plants develop more immunity, which will not require pesticides,” points out Rattan Lal.
Government Initiatives and Solutions
The Indian government has introduced several measures to address soil pollution, including the National Clean Energy Fund and Soil Health Card Scheme, which aim to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Policies like the Hazardous Waste Management Rules regulate industrial waste disposal, but enforcement remains a challenge.
NGOs and environmental groups also play a role by raising awareness and encouraging sustainable practices among farmers and industries.
Steps Forward
Adoption of organic farming, bioremediation, and crop rotation techniques can help rejuvenate soil health.
Stricter enforcement of waste management policies, increased recycling, and sustainable waste treatment practices are essential to mitigate soil pollution.
Maharashtra
Sources:
Maharashtra, particularly areas around Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, has a high concentration of industries like chemicals, textiles, and pharmaceuticals that contribute to soil pollution through hazardous waste.
Pollutants:
Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury are common in industrial zones. Agricultural regions also face soil degradation due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Impact:
Affected agricultural yields and compromised health of the local population due to contaminated food and water sources.
Gujarat
Sources:
As one of India most industrialized states, Gujarat has pollution from chemical, petrochemical, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, especially in cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat.
Pollutants:
High levels of heavy metals and organic pollutants from industrial effluents, along with soil salinization due to overuse of groundwater for irrigation.
Impact:
Reduced agricultural productivity, groundwater contamination, and long-term soil infertility in some areas.
Punjab and Haryana
Sources:
Known as the “breadbasket of India,” these states have intensive agricultural practices with extensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Pollutants:
High levels of nitrates and phosphates, as well as pesticide residues, which affect soil health and food safety.
Impact:
Soil depletion, groundwater contamination, and health risks associated with pesticide exposure.
Uttar Pradesh
Sources:
With large agricultural and industrial areas, UP faces significant soil pollution, particularly around Kanpur (tanneries), Ghaziabad (electronics), and Noida (manufacturing).
Pollutants:
Chromium from leather tanneries, heavy metals, and agrochemicals are common pollutants.
Impact:
Severe contamination of soil and water, affecting agriculture and increasing health risks in rural areas.
Tamil Nadu
Sources:
Tamil Nadu has extensive industrial activity, including textile, leather, and electronics manufacturing. Agricultural practices also contribute to soil pollution.
Pollutants:
High levels of heavy metals from industrial effluents, pesticide residues, and chemical fertilizers.
Impact:
Soil degradation around industrial zones like Vellore, Erode, and Tiruppur, affecting agriculture and local water quality.
Rajasthan
Sources:
Mining activities are widespread in Rajasthan, especially for marble, granite, and zinc. This contributes to soil contamination in mining regions.
Pollutants:
Heavy metals, acidic compounds, and dust pollution.
Impact:
Soil erosion, desertification, and contamination of groundwater in mining areas like Udaipur, Bhilwara, and Alwar.
Odisha and Jharkhand
Sources:
Odisha and Jharkhand are mineral-rich states with extensive mining and smelting activities, particularly for coal, iron, and aluminum.
Pollutants:
High levels of heavy metals, including mercury, lead, and arsenic, along with acidic waste.
Impact:
Soil infertility, forest degradation, and adverse health effects on local communities due to contamination of crops and water sources.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Sources:
These states face pollution from agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and electronics manufacturing, with Hyderabad being a significant industrial hub.
Pollutants:
Fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural areas, heavy metals, and chemical waste near industrial zones.
Impact:
Reduced soil fertility and contamination of local water sources, affecting agriculture and health.
West Bengal
Sources:
Soil pollution in West Bengal stems from industries around Kolkata, along with agricultural activities and mining in districts like Asansol and Raniganj.
Pollutants:
Heavy metals, pesticides, and residues from coal mining.
Impact:
Soil acidification, water contamination, and reduced agricultural productivity in affected areas.
Delhi NCR
Sources:
Urban sprawl and industrial activity in Delhi and surrounding regions (Noida, Gurgaon) contribute to significant soil contamination.
Pollutants:
Heavy metals, construction debris, and waste from electronic and plastic industries.
Impact:
Limited agricultural potential and public health risks due to soil and groundwater contamination.
