Overview
- The global observance on December 5 centers on the theme Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities, stressing the role of permeable urban ground in absorbing rain, moderating heat and storing carbon.
- At Odisha’s state event, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo called for reduced chemical inputs, more organic matter and wider adoption of natural, climate‑resilient practices.
- Soil Health Cards were handed to farmers to support scientific nutrient management, with senior officials Arabinda Kumar Padhee and Shubham Saxena underscoring stronger soil‑testing capacity.
- Analysts warn that sealing soils under concrete weakens flood control and air and water quality, with a 2024 SNPA report noting roughly 84 km² of new artificial surfaces and minimal land returned to nature.
- Context for the push: more than 95% of food depends on soil, India reports about 147 million hectares degraded, and the government has set a 2030 goal to restore 26 million hectares.