Soil and Future

Abstract

The future of India is the future of its soils since civilization itself rests upon the soil. Soil depends on diversity in multiple geological and geomorphological settings, relief features, landforms, climatic realms and natural vegetation types. As such, soil science education should address the emerging national as well as global issues in order to cover basic research related to pedogenesis, geomorphology, micromorphology, biodiversity, climate change, hydrological and ecological processes, mineral and chemical transformations, organic matter dynamics, photopedogenesis, water quality, biogeochemistry and elemental cycling including many other processes controlling ecosystem services as well as resilience. Pedology needs to be made comprehensive by linking its vital roles in soil functions and services. India must have its own system of soil classification and its linkage with land use options as well as land-use planning. Hyperspectral remote sensing integrated with satellite-based technologies has tremendous opportunities to generate reliable soil database. This chapter aims at looking Indian soils forward with the changes happening in differing magnitudes and domains, as ignoring such changes would be imprudent. Prediction of the future based on an extrapolation from the past may give a reliable road map following the governance to transform the soil resource on sustainable basis. Healthy soils can only give healthy food, fodder and ecosystem and make healthy people and healthy nation besides alleviating poverty and promoting the huge employment opportunities. India needs a Soil Health Revolution to keep the Indian soils ``Ever Green{''}.