Introduction – World Soil Day is celebrated annually on December 5 across the world to draw attention among common people to the importance of soil and its sustainable management. The main aim of this global day is to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining the quality of soil and how important it is in our daily life and food system. Soil is the mixture of minerals, organisms, organic matter, gases, and liquids, which support the life of plants and soil organisms. It is also an important component of the foundation and the natural environment of our food system

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Soil also provides several important minerals for recycling nutrients, and plants that help in regulating the climate worldwide. Healthy soils are necessary for a healthy planet but due to human activity and climate change, soils are being degraded and putting extreme pressure on water resources. Thus, erosions disturb the lowering of water infiltration, and natural balance that are available for all different forms of life. Sustainable soil management practices help improve soil health, increase water storage and infiltration, decrease erosion and pollution, organic matter addition, and many more. It is also beneficial in improving fertility, preserving soil biodiversity, and many more.

History – International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) proposed the concept of World Soil Day in the year 2002. In the past, the United Nations approved this international day in June 2013 which was requested by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Conference at the 68th United Nations General Assembly. Thus, World Soil Day was first celebrated on December 5, 2014, worldwide to spread awareness among common people about the degrading of the soil with impacts and prevention.

Significance – Healthy soil plays an important role in making a good ecosystem that is beneficial for people across the world. It is important to note that around 95 percent of our food comes from the soil but the health of soil is threatened by different forms of degradation. Soil degradation is a threat or harmful to the ecosystem and is one of the most important problems worldwide for agriculture production and food security.

Soil degradation is one of the serious environmental problems which is caused by declining in soil conditions. Industrialization or poor management of agricultural land deteriorates the condition of the soil.   Soil degradation may also cause erosion that declines or reduces the fertility of soil, and loss of organic matter. This global day provides an opportunity to encourage common people worldwide to improve soil health.