Introduction

The total area under forests is 29,045 km2 or 72.5% of the country according to the latest land-

use survey, conducted by the (Land-Use Statistical Section), Ministry of Agriculture.

Percentage distribution of agricultural land is

Land is the surface of the earth which is not covered by water. Land is a platform where human

beings acts or works on it to make their living. Because of growing population and increasing

needs of the areas to live, leads to destruction of the environment, bringing the problem of land

degradation after long run.

What is land degradation?

According to UNCCD, land degradation refers to the “reduction or loss, in arid, semi-arid, and

dry sub-humid area, of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rain –fed

cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest, and woodlands resulting from land uses or

from a process or combination of processes, including processes arising from human activities

and habitation patterns such as

(i) Soil erosion caused by wind/or water;

(ii) Deterioration of the physical, chemical, and biological or economic properties of sol; and

(iii) Long-term loss of natural vegetation;

It is a process in which the value of the biophysical environment is affected by a combination of

human-induced processes acting upon the land.

Land degradation is becoming an important global issue because of its adverse impact on

agronomic productivity and the environment, and consequently on food security and the quality

of life (Eswaran et al., 2001). It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's agricultural land is

seriously degraded.

Bhutan has limited resources of productive land (<8% of the total area). These land resources are

at risk from the various types of land degradation that occur in Bhutan, threatening the

livelihoods of the 80% of population who depend on agriculture. Moreover, the predominantly

steep slopes make land degradation an even more serious threat in Bhutan than in most places.

The common Water induced degradations in Bhutan are:

a. Gulley erosion

b. Ravines c. landslides

d.Flood e. Splash erosion

What causes Land degradation?

Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions particularly

drought, and human activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soils and land utility

negatively affecting food production, livelihoods, and the production and provision of other

ecosystem goods and services.

I. Urbanization II. Development activitiesIII. Land use patternsIV. Agricultural practices

Urbanization

Urbanization refers to general increase in population and the amount of industrialization of a

settlement. It includes increase in the number and extent of cities. The pressure on land increases and

the waste and other problem arises