Land Degradation Due to Wind Erosion in Arid Regionsof India
Keywords:
LAND DEGRADATION, WIND EROSION, Arid RegionsSynopsis
The assessment of annual soil loss due to wind erosion in the hot arid region of India for the period 2020–2024 indicates that about 6% of the area falls under the severe category (≥150 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), which is equivalent to the loss of approximately 10 mm of topsoil in a single year. These severely affected areas are predominantly located in the western parts of Barmer and Jaisalmer districts. In contrast, the northern part of the hot arid region-covering Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and adjoining areas of southern Punjab and western Haryana-exhibits micro-degree soil loss (≤2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Compared to the hot arid region, the cold arid region experiences relatively lower soil loss rates, with most areas recording ≤2 t ha-1 yr-1. However, a few localized pockets in the north-eastern portion of Leh district fall under the moderate to intense category (25–80 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹).
This assessment represents the first national-level estimate of soil loss due to wind erosion and can serve as a benchmark for evaluating both historical trends and future changes in land degradation across arid regions. Furthermore, the estimates generated in this study provide a scientific basis for implementing targeted control measures at appropriate locations to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets by 2030. These findings will also support ecosystem-based assessments of land degradation mitigation efforts. Extending this approach to past datasets could help establish linkages between climate change and land degradation, thereby contributing to the formulation of effective strategies for combating desertification in the region.
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July 16, 2026
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Details about this monograph
ISBN-13 (15)
978-81-7164-323-3
How to Cite
Santra, P., Moharana, P. C., Parihar, M., Machiwal, D., Meena, H., & Kumari, V. (Eds.). (2026). Land Degradation Due to Wind Erosion in Arid Regionsof India. ICAR Books. https://ebook.icar.org.in/index.php/bookprocess/catalog/book/10
