Land Degradation due to Water-Induced Soil Erosionin India

A water induced potential soil erosion map of India was developed using updated high-resolution datasets, innovative methodologies and advanced technologies integrated with GIS platform. The revised estimation indicated a countrywide average water-induced potential soil erosion rate of 18.80 t·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹. This estimate is higher than the previous value of 16.4 t·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹ reported by Narayana and Ram Babu (1983). This increase may be attributed to changes in rainfall erosivity patterns associated with climate change, land use/land cover alterations, deforestation, inadequate conservation measures, and the adoption of updated methodologies and highresolution datasets.. Globally, soil erosion rates are projected to increase by 30% to 66% during the period 2015–2070 under various climate-economic scenarios (Sartori et al., 2024). However, an average potential soil erosion rate of 7.55 t·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹ was observed for agricultural lands in India, reflecting improvements in agricultural practices and the implementation of soil and water conservation measures at the field level.

The area under the ‘very low erosion category’ (< 5 t·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹) increased substantially by 86.40 Mha, representing a 121.8% rise. The total land degradation area declined significantly from 125.99 Mha
(before harmonization) to 86.04 Mha. Of this, approximately 50.64 Mha (equivalent to 29.02% of the total agricultural land area) falls under degraded agricultural land. The nondegraded land area increased from 164.08 Mha to 213.27 Mha, of which 123.88 Mha corresponds to agricultural land. Although the proportion of land under moderately severe to severe and severe to extremely degradation categories has decreased, the remaining affected area of 44.19 Mha remains substantial, highlighting the continued need for intensive conservation efforts. These areas likely represent critical degradation
hotspots characterized by steep slopes, highly erodible soils, intense rainfall, and unsustainable land-use practices. Therefore, targeted interventions focusing on these persistent hotspots are essential to achieve further progress in land conservation and sustainable management.

The development of potential soil erosion and land degradation maps at a spatial resolution of 30 m × 30 m provides a robust scientific foundation for evidence-based decision-making aimed at safeguarding soil health for present and future generations, while sustaining the livelihoods of millions dependent on land resources. The delineation of potential soil erosion and land degradation zones equips policymakers and planners with critical spatial information to prioritize watersheds and regions requiring immediate conservation interventions. Furthermore, it facilitates efficient resource allocation under government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, supports the formulation of climate change adaptation strategies through the identification of vulnerable landscapes, and contributes to India’s commitment to achieving land degradation neutrality under the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD).