Researchers warn of long-term ecological risks if soil decline continues
Nagaland University researchers, along with national and international collaborators, have warned of rapid soil degradation in the Dhansiripar region of Nagaland. Their findings highlight the impact of land use changes driven by agricultural expansion, forest conversion and urbanisation, which are contributing to declining soil health across six surveyed villages. The study assessed soil conditions in Amaluma, Dhansirpar, Doyapur, Kiyeto, Melongmen and Razhaphe to understand how farming practices are shaping soil quality and agricultural sustainability.
The study reveals strongly to moderately acidic soil conditions, with pH values ranging between 4.9 and 5.9. Researchers also found substantial variation in organic carbon content, ranging from 0.45 to 3.69 percent, along with differences in macronutrient availability and cation exchange capacity. These changes indicate reduced fertility and increased vulnerability to erosion, concerns that farmers also expressed during field surveys. The team evaluated soil texture, bulk density, porosity, water-holding capacity, nutrient profile and structural stability, noting that prevailing farming and land conversion practices are accelerating soil degradation.
The research was conducted by Nagaland University in collaboration with ICAR–Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, Dibrugarh University, Tocklai Tea Research Institute and Diphu Medical College and Hospital. The results were published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, a peer-reviewed scientific journal produced by Springer. The study aims to provide data-led recommendations that support improved agricultural outcomes, better soil conservation, enhanced livelihoods and long-term environmental resilience.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik said, “Nagaland University today announced findings from a multi-institute, university-led study revealing rapid soil degradation in the Dhansiripar region of the State. The research team reports strongly acidic soils, declining structural stability and sharp variations in nutrient availability across six surveyed villages. The University urges immediate adoption of sustainable land-management practices to prevent further deterioration and safeguard the region’s agricultural productivity and environmental health.”
Co-author Prof. Manoj Dutta noted the importance of comparing different land use systems, stating that the study enables more precise analysis of how orchards, forest areas, cultivated plots and lowland paddy systems affect soil properties. Prof. Tanmoy Karak observed that low-land paddy zones in particular show signs of structural decline, while PhD scholar Reshinaro Tzudir emphasised the growing long-term risks to both farming systems and ecosystems.
Looking ahead, the research team plans longitudinal monitoring to track soil changes and work with local communities to apply interventions such as improved crop rotation and agroforestry. They also aim to integrate traditional ecological knowledge, encourage evidence-based policymaking and promote comparative studies with other regions to strengthen understanding of soil conditions across the North East.
