Downloads: 3
Research Paper | Geography | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 1210 - 1215 | India
Regional Planning for Soil Erosion Control and Conservation in Jharkhand: A Geographical Study
Abstract: Jharkhand, located on the Chotanagpur Plateau, is characterized by undulating topography, steep slopes, high monsoonal rainfall, fragile lateritic soils, extensive mining activities, and widespread deforestation. These physical and anthropogenic factors have intensified the problem of soil erosion, which has emerged as a major environmental issue affecting land productivity, ecological stability, and sustainable development in the state. The problem of soil erosion in Jharkhand has been aggravated by unbalanced land-use practices, unplanned development activities, improper agricultural methods, and the absence of region-specific conservation planning. Existing soil conservation measures are often fragmented and lack an integrated regional approach, resulting in limited long-term effectiveness. The present study aims to analyze the nature, intensity, and spatial distribution of soil erosion in Jharkhand, to evaluate the effectiveness of prevailing soil conservation practices in different physiographic regions, and to propose a regional planning?based soil conservation framework for sustainable land management. The study is based on secondary data sources such as Survey of India (SOI) topographical maps, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) rainfall data, Census of India, NRSC datasets, and state government reports. Geographical techniques including thematic mapping, land-use/land- cover analysis, slope analysis, and selected micro-watershed?level case studies have been employed. The findings reveal that severe soil erosion is concentrated in plateau margins, mining belts, deforested areas, and regions practicing unscientific agricultural techniques. The study establishes that region-specific and integrated soil conservation planning is more effective and sustainable than isolated measures. The research is significant for policy formulation, regional land-use planning, environmental management, and achieving sustainable development goals in Jharkhand.
Keywords: Soil Erosion, Soil Conservation, Regional Planning, Jharkhand, Sustainable Land Management
How to Cite?: Dr. Meena Purty, "Regional Planning for Soil Erosion Control and Conservation in Jharkhand: A Geographical Study", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1210-1215, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26818082105, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26818082105