The following measures may be suggested to control soil pollution

Since fertilizers and pesticides are useful in increasing crop production and protection from harmful organisms, their use cannot be discontinued.

Though at present it has not caused higher concentration of unwanted materials in the soils of the country but if the existing rate of contamination continues, the day will come when our most valuable resource, that is, soil will be polluted.

This will lead to the loss of soil fertility and crop failure. Therefore, the question arises as to how to use these toxic chemicals, so that their use may be fruitful but may not adversely affect soil fertility and the related environment.

The following measures may be suggested to control soil pollution:

1. Development of such pesticides should be encouraged, which may save crops from pests and rodents but should not contaminate soil with toxic chemicals.

2. Pesticides and fertilizers should be applied on croplands only in recommended dose, prescribed by Indian Standard Institution experts. It will help in reducing the level of water and soil pollution caused through these chemicals.

3. There should be sufficient duration between the harvesting of crops and time of last spray of pesticides. This will help in reducing contamination of pesticides, directly to the crop. It will also cause less contamination of chloride and other chemicals to the soil.

4. There must be arrangement for educating farmers regarding the proper use of pesticides and fertilizers. Only those fertilizers could be used for growing crops, which are deficient in soils.

5. After every two or three years soils percentage should be analyzed, so that it can be observed that what is the percentage of nutrients in the soils. This will help in maintaining the required amount of nutrient in the soils.

6. Waste water from industries should not be used for irrigation without eliminating toxic chemicals from the effluent. This will also reduce the concentration of unwanted substances in the soil.

7. Garbage should not be disposed of on cultivated land without covering it with the soils.

8. Soil conservation practices should also be adopted so as to avoid loss of valuable nutrients through soil erosion.

In addition to this, government should encourage research programmers examining the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on soils and human beings. This will help in devising suitable measures to control soil pollution and restore its fertility.