Dear Editor,
Soil is the basic entity on which all terrestrial life depends. It is a well known fact that around ninety five percent of all the food that is consumed by human comes from soil. Further, as much as 95% of all antibiotics taken by human and animal also came from soil & this clearly shows that soil and life have evolved together. Soil is the epitome of miracle, not just on earth but in the entire known universe. Over 87% of all depend on it, including us, humans. We come from the soil, feed upon soil and go back to the soil. Global warming, climate change, water shortages, deforestation, and pollution are all hot topics in today’s environmental discussions and debates worldwide. But there is one massive, immediate problem that humanity is facing today that is the “Extinction of Soil”. Soil is losing its organic content these days and is turning into sand. This needs immediate attention. So it is essential that we should use soil friendly agricultural practices to keep soil healthy. Soil needs to be covered under vegetation, whatever kind – plants, trees, shrubs, etc. We may own the lands. But the soil is not our property. It’s a legacy that has come to us from previous generations in its living condition. It is our fundamental responsibility that we pass it on to the next generation in living conditions, otherwise, we will be taking away the basic source of life for future generations.
Vivek Koul (Gole Gujral Jammu)
