WORLD SOIL DAY

WORLD SOIL DAY

World Soil Day is observed every year on 5 December.

The day reminds us that:

• Soil is essential for life
• It supports food, water, biodiversity and climate balance
• Once soil is damaged, it is very hard to restore

World Soil Day 2025 comes at a time when:

• Climate change is increasing
• Cities are expanding fast
• Natural land is shrinking

WHY SOIL IS SO IMPORTANT?

Soil is not just “mud” or “dirt”.

Healthy soil:

• Grows food
• Stores water
• Supports forests, grasslands and wildlife
• Absorbs carbon and helps fight climate change

A shocking fact highlighted by the UN:

• It can take nearly 1,000 years to form just a few centimetres of fertile soil
• But human activity is destroying it within decades

This makes soil a precious and limited natural resource.

 THEME OF WORLD SOIL DAY

“Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities”

• This theme is very important.
• Usually, we think:
• Soil protection = farms and villages

But the 2025 theme says: Cities also depend on soil

This shifts focus to:

• Urban soil
• Soil under roads, buildings, parks and playgrounds

WHY URBAN SOIL MATTERS?

Soil beneath cities performs many hidden functions:

• Absorbs rainwater
• Reduces flooding and waterlogging
• Stores heat and regulates temperature
• Filters harmful pollutants
• Supports trees, parks and green spaces

But today:

• Concrete covers the ground
• Green areas are shrinking
• Soil becomes sealed and lifeless

This leads to:

• Urban flooding
• Heat waves
• Poor air quality
• Loss of biodiversity

World Soil Day 2025 highlights these urban soil problems, which are often ignored.

HISTORY OF WORLD SOIL DAY

The idea of World Soil Day began in 2002.

• Proposed by: International Union of Soil Sciences
• Supported by:
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
  • Kingdom of Thailand

In 2013:

• United Nations General Assembly officially declared 5 December as World Soil Day
• First global celebration: 2014

Since then, it has become a global awareness movement.

GLOBAL & LOCAL EFFORTS IN SOIL CONSERVATION

World Soil Day promotes:

• Sustainable land use
• Eco-friendly farming
• Soil restoration techniques
• Climate-resilient planning

Governments, scientists, farmers, city planners and students all take part.

INDIA & SOIL HEALTH

In India:

• Soil degradation is a growing concern
• Overuse of chemicals
• Loss of organic matter
• Urbanisation pressure

India has started:

• Soil health awareness campaigns
• Education programs
• Land restoration efforts

The message is clear: Soil protection is not only a farmer’s issue, It affects cities, towns and villages alike

MAIN MESSAGE

World Soil Day 2025 gives a strong message:

• Soil is not infinite
• Once destroyed, it cannot be easily replaced
• Soil loss affects:
  • Food security
  • Water availability
  • Climate stability
  • Human health

As cities grow, protecting soil becomes a shared responsibility.

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