Gully Erosion

Prelims – Indian and World Geography

Mains – General Studies-I (Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features)

Why in news?

A recent study published in Scientific Reports (February 2025) highlights gully erosion as a major and often overlooked driver of global land degradation, exacerbated by climate change and land-use changes.

• Gully erosion is the most severe form of soil erosion, characterized by deep incisions (several tens of meters) into soil, caused by surface and subsurface water runoff.
• It differs from other types of erosion due to its depth, higher specific soil losses, and unpredictable nature, often resembling the destructive impact of landslides.

Causes of Gully Erosion

• Gully erosion is a result of a complex interplay of natural and human factors.

Consequences of Gully Erosion

• Loss of Fertile Topsoil – The most significant impact is the irreversible loss of topsoil, which can take centuries to rebuild, severely affecting agricultural productivity.
• Impact on SDGs – It directly undermines efforts towards zero hunger, clean water and sanitation and climate action.
• Damage to Infrastructure – Gullies can swallow farmland, roads, and buildings, disrupting livelihoods and connectivity.
• Increased Water Stress and Droughts – Degraded land loses its capacity to retain water, exacerbating water scarcity and drought conditions.
• Displacement and Migration – In severe cases, gully erosion can lead to village abandonment and forced migration.
• Agricultural productivity – Prolonged gully erosion leads to the formation of "badlands," severely impacting agricultural productivity.

Impact in India and world

• Globally, research has identified numerous locations where gully erosion has caused severe damage to life and property, with Nigeria being particularly affected.
• In India, gully landforms are present in 19 states and the National Capital Region, with at least 77 districts requiring urgent intervention.
• The most affected states in India are Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Gully erosion poses a significant challenge to India's commitment to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Mitigation and Management

• Mitigating existing gullies is challenging and costly, and predicting their formation is difficult, limiting proactive interventions.
• The primary approach is often reactive land management after gully formation, including:
  • Establishing vegetation cover to stabilize the soil.
  • Implementing soil and water conservation measures like check dams and gully plugging.
  • Runoff attenuation and/or diversion techniques.
• The appropriateness of these measures depends on local runoff characteristics and gully stability.
• An important aspect of mitigation is preventing the removal of eroded sediment, allowing for the formation of new wetlands that can further stabilize the land and support vegetation.

Reference

Down to Earth | Gully erosion