World soil day
- World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December to focus on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for sustainable management of soil resources.
- An international dam was recommended by the International Union for Soil Science (IUSS) in 2002 to celebrate the soil.
- The theme of World Soil Day 2021 is 'Halt soil salinization, enhance soil production' with an aim to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
History of World Soil day
- The international observance of the day was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002 to aware people of the degrading condition of the soil, its impact and its prevention.
- The Food and Agriculture Organization had supported the day to be celebrated as a global awareness-raising platform under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership.
- The FAO Conference, in June 2013, urged to adopt the World Soil Day at the 68th UN General Assembly.
- The Assembly finally designated December 5, 2014, as the first official World Soil Day.
Significance of World soil day
- World Soil Day, celebrated on December 5, brings people’s attention to the importance of soil and its sustainable management.
- The day aims to raise awareness about soil degradation.
- It’s a serious environmental problem, caused due to the decline in soil condition.
- Industrialisation or poor management of agricultural land worsens the condition of the soil.
- The day highlights the importance of soil for all terrestrial life.
- Soil degradation leads to erosion, loss of organic matter and decline in soil fertility."