Ethnic communities observe World Soil Day

From A Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, Dec 5: 'World Soil Day' was observed with varied programmes by NESFAS along with Laitsohpliah, Laitthemlangsah and Laitumïong communities at Laitsohpliah village today. The programme focused around FAO's 'Global Soil Partnership's theme: "Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground". The programme was chaired by Mr. Nestar Kharmawphlang, Headmaster of Laitsohpliah LP UP School. He said, "Our villages face harsh environmental challenges such as heavy rain, fog and storm which makes it difficult for us to practice organic farming". Hence the programme addressed their concerns and discussed a way forward. Resource person Dr. A K Nongkynrih, HOD Department of Sociology NEHU highlighted the fact that the villages around Sohra region experience heavy rainfall, therefore there is a high amount of soil erosion. Hence it is important for the communities to preserve the soil. For instance, Dr. Nongkynrih suggested that the forest cover should be maintained at the hill tops around their village as this helps the rainwater to percolate into the soil as well as increasing the soil fertility.