Sustainable actions needed to stop soil degradation

In the heart of Bangladesh's lush landscapes and fertile soils lies an escalating environmental crisis that imperils its agricultural foundation. As we delve into the intricate web of factors contributing to soil degradation, it becomes evident that urgent and sustainable interventions are paramount.
Research conducted by the Bangladesh government's Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) exposes the severity of the soil crisis in Bangladesh, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. The extended version of the SRDI report, published in December 2022 to coincide with World Soil Day, presents disconcerting data that demands immediate and coordinated action.
THE ROOTS OF DEGRADATION: The SRDI report underscores the detrimental impact of industrial waste on soil health. The improper disposal of industrial wastes and chemicals directly affects soil fertility, leaving profound consequences for agriculture. Simultaneously, the encroachment of urbanisation and construction activities intensifies soil erosion, particularly in the picturesque hills of Bangladesh.
The SRDI report reveals alarming trends in chemical fertiliser and pesticide use. Approximately 76 per cent of the nation's soil faces degradation due to these intensive agricultural practices, contributing to a perilous decline in soil health and fertility. Unsustainable farming methods exacerbate the problem, posing risks to both the environment and the communities relying on these lands.
EXTENT AND ESCALATION: Approximately 76 per cent of Bangladesh's extensive landmass, equivalent to 11.07 million hectares, suffers from soil nutrient depletion, according to the highly comprehensive 2020 SRDI study, authored by the organisation's three principal scientific officers Ameer Md Zahid, Md Altaf Hossain and Neelima Akter Kohinoor.
Out of this staggering figure, 1.47 million hectares face severe soil nutrient depletion, which implies a loss of 50 to 75 per cent of productivity, rendering the land unsuitable for further cultivation.
Land degradation, defined as a change in one or more land or soil properties resulting in a decline in quality, is a pervasive issue that directly threatens food security and the natural environment. The study identifies key factors contributing to land degradation, including soil organic matter depletion, which affects 78.70 per cent of the country's landmass. Soil organic matter, crucial for providing nutrients, binding soil particles, and enhancing water-holding capacity, plays a pivotal role in sustaining soil health and fertility.
UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS: The SRDI report unveils the alarming extent of degraded land precisely due to soil nutrient depletion. Within this vast expanse, approximately 10.96 million hectares suffer from the combined depletion of crucial nutrients. Notably, 6.6 million hectares grapple with phosphorus depletion, while potassium is depleted in 5.27 million hectares, sulfur in 6.53 million hectares, zinc in 5.55 million hectares, and boron in 5.11 million hectares. Each nutrient deficiency contributes to the overall challenge, emphasising Bangladesh's multifaceted nature of soil degradation.
Moreover, the report highlights different land degradation processes, indicating the complex interplay of factors across the country. Soil erosion, organic matter depletion, riverbank erosion, sandy over-wash, acidification, salinisation, drought, water-logging, and arsenic contamination collectively contribute to land degradation. Almost the country's entire land area has experienced one or more types of these degradation processes, with 10.70 million hectares (72.5 per cent of the country area) facing moderate to very severe classes of land degradation during 1985-2000.
In essence, these findings underscore the multifaceted nature of soil degradation in Bangladesh, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable interventions to restore and preserve the nation's soil health and fertility.
TACKLING DETERIORATION THROUGH STRATEGIES AND COLLABORATION: A collective effort involving policymakers, industries, and communities is paramount to addressing the challenges highlighted by the 2020 SRDI study. The study stresses the urgent need to reverse, halt, or slow down land degradation to safeguard against looming threats such as food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and habitat destruction.
Recognizing the potential socio-political implications, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD, 2020) warns that unchecked land degradation could lead to poverty, conflict, and migration. In response to this, a comprehensive project, "Decision support for mainstreaming and scaling up sustainable land management (DS-SLM)", has been initiated.
This project aims to boost the country's capability and decision-making in the battle against land degradation. Ensuring the success of this initiative now falls on the shoulders of policymakers, who play a pivotal role in translating project goals into tangible actions, steering Bangladesh towards a sustainable future.
CALL TO SUSTAINABLE ACTION: As Bangladesh grapples with the soil degradation crisis outlined in the 2020 SRDI study, the words of soil science expert Rattan Lal highlight the primary challenge in agriculture: 'increasing productivity while ensuring ecological and environmental sustainability'. The need for sustainable practices becomes even more critical in densely populated countries like Bangladesh.
The alarming revelation that the prevalence of moderate to very severe land degradation spans 72.5 per cent of the country warrants urgent intervention. It is incumbent upon policymakers to ensure the effective implementation of the "Decision support for mainstreaming and scaling up of sustainable land management (DS-SLM)" project. Their commitment and strategic decisions will shape the success of this initiative, fostering a sustainable future for Bangladesh and addressing the challenges posed by soil degradation in a language accessible to all.

Zahidur Rahman is an environmental activist and writer