Indian soil \\\'damaged by landslides\\\'

Indian ministers are concerned that landslides in the region of Himachal Pradesh have caused widespread deterioration in soil quality and quantity.

Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal stated that the government is planning to take action soil erosion in the area as a result.

He stated that recent surveys have determined that the area is capable of surviving up to ten tonnes of soil loss per hectare through erosion, but current levels stand much higher than this, at between 16 and 20 tonnes per hectare.

This equates to around 240 tonnes of fertile soil being erode annually, reported SamayLive.

Over the coming years, the government will allocate funds to the monitoring and prevention of soil erosion, he added.

Elsewhere in India, wastepaper sludge is being used in the state of Orissa to enhance the mineral properties of the local soil, the Statesman reported last month.