Soil Erosion: It is the destruction and removal of top soil by running water, wind, etc. Soil erosion has become a serious problem in many areas. Soil formation is a slow process and takes thousands of years to develop soil, but it may be removed in a matter of a few years. Soil erosion results from the following causes ;

Causes of Soil Erosion:

1. Steep Slopes: Steep slopes affect the rapidity of running water on steep slopes, and the intensity of soil erosion increases.
2. Torrential Rainfall: Heavy rainfall lessens the soil particles and scoops out the soil-forming gullies and ravines. This gives rise to a dissected surface called badland as in the Chambal valley of India.
3. Strong Winds: Winds and dust storms blow away soil in dry areas. This process is known as deflation.
4. Over-grazing: Due to over-grazing, the vegetation becomes too thin to protect the soil. Rain and wind can easily erode the loose soil.
5. Over-cropping: Crop rotation maintains soil fertility. But over-cropping and shifting cultivation render soil infertile.
6. Deforestation: Deforestation means the removal of forest cover and it exposes the area of soil erosion. Reckless cutting of trees has resulted in soil erosion by chos along the Shiwalik hills. Human misuse of the land through wrong farming practices, deforestation etc. leads to the removal of soil cover.