Overview:

Soil is the most important natural resource upon which activities of human beings are dependent. The flora, fauna, agriculture, human inhabitation and other commercial activities are also dependent on the soil of a particular area. Soil undergoes various natural vagaries, which affect its structure and make it prone to erosion and loss. Chariali soil Conservation Range  is therefore a major player amongst the agriculture and allied sectors of the Biswanath Revenue Circle. Soil Conservation Department basically deals in the effective and gainful management of the three most vital natural resources viz; Soil, Water and Vegetation by implementation of various activities linked to land and water management on crop land, wasteland, degraded forest land and Riverine land. The Chariali Soil Conservation Range, Biswanath Chariali undertakes various soil and water conservation measures with the objective of controlling all forms of erosion and soil and water losses caused by various factors.  

Vision:

• To conserve Soil & surface run off along with restoration of ecological balance and adoption of income generating programme among rural beneficiaries;
• To reduce all forms of soil erosion;
• To increase agricultural productivity in sustainable manner;
• Efficient use of rainfall and development of water harvesting structure such as Farm Pond,Check dam,Nalla bunds etc.;
• Restoration of ecological balance;
• Ensure food and income security for all, through technological; and
• Innovations and sustainable agriculture

Mission:

• Promote sustainable utilization of soil, water and vegetation resources;
• In situ moisture conservation and sustainable agriculture production;
• Promote Social, Economic status of Farmers and maintaining ecological balance;
• Harness power of science and education with the human touch for higher and sustainable agricultural production;
• Delineation of catchment areas as the basis of analysis and activities for Watershed Development;
• Development of policy and legal framework;
• Setting up of proper institutions for easier implementation of the Watershed Development schemes;
• Dissemination of information and awareness generation on the Importance of Soil, Water, Ecology & Environment.

The main objectives of soil conservation:

• In-situ moisture conservation by which the soil erosion is checked by creating barrier on the path of surface run off by way of periphery Bund , Field Bund/Agril. Bund, Contour Trench, Gully Control Project, Water Harvesting cum Water Distribution Project etc. These interventions check the transfer of top most fertile of soil as well as supplement the irrigation whereby more agricultural production could be expected;
• Increase in net sown area by creation of new cultivable land by way of Land Reclamation etc.;
• Raising of Agro-Forestry, Agri.-Horticultural crops where growing of cereals and pulses is not economical;
• Protection of agricultural land by way of River Training Works like Boulder Pitching, Boulder Revetment, Boulder Spur, R.C.C. Porcupine etc.;
• Protection of flood prone alluvial lands by way of Protective Afforestation;
• Providing fodder by way of taking up plantation of trees of fodder species as well as raising Grass/Grass Land in typical erosion prone area and over grazing areas.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• To reduce all forms of soil erosion;
• To increase agricultural productivity in sustained manner without deteriorating the soil health;
• Efficient use of rainfall with development of water harvesting structures such as Farm Ponds, Check Dams, Nalla Bunds, Percolation Tanks etc.;
• Restoration of ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing natural resources;
• To minimize flood hazards in the valley bottom areas and farm lands by way of preventing silt deposition in the riverbed; and
• Protection of paddy land from throwing of sand during flood season to some extent.