Shillong, Jul. 04: ‘Soil extinction’ is the gravest threat to Humanity right now. Our planet is losing the ability to grow food because of alarmingly rapid degradation of soil – 95% of our food comes from soil. A handful of soil takes thousands of years to form.
This is a silent catastrophe. Unlike floods, hurricanes and cyclones, we don’t see immediate, massive damage but the death of soil is a far more frightening and destructive phenomenon than any extreme weather event. If soil becomes extinct, we will experience critical food shortage and critical water scarcity. The most effective solution is for policy changes to incentivize sustainable agriculture practices.
To address this major ecological crisis at the global level, Sadhguru, founder of Isha Foundation , Coimbatore had embarked on a historic 100-day journey as a ‘Lone motorcyclist’, across Europe, the Middle East and Asia covering 30,000 kilometers and passing through 27 nations to garner the support of the leadership , influencers and the citizenry towards making Soil Regeneration as a priority . UNCCD , WFP, FAO and other International organisations , most governments and heads of states , influencers and the public have all voiced their support in course of the 100-day Save Soil journey which was flagged off from London on 21st March and culminated in India on June 21st at Isha Yoga Centre , Coimbatore.
Till date, the Save Soil movement has reached 3.9 billion people across the globe. 74 nations, and 8 Indian states have come onboard to save soil in their nations- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Several events were hosted along the route and MOUs signed to introduce on-ground implementable soil regenerative policies.
Over 1.5 million students wrote letters to their political leadership.
The topic of soil degradation, which was till now only spoken in academic conferences, is now a mainstream topic of discussion. However, this needs to reach more people and the message must be reinforced to assure the government that long term sustainable policy changes to revitalise the agricultural soil is appreciated.
As the next step , Sadhguru has flagged off the ‘Ride for Soil’ initiative on 24th of June to take the Save Soil Movement to the next 100 cities, towns and villages across India. The Isha Volunteers of Assam and Meghalaya are participating in the Ride for Soil , on the 3rd of July from Guwahati to Shillong. Officers of the Indian Air Force and Armed Forces are also joining the initiative. The Ride is scheduled to be flagged off from Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra and it will culminate at Police Bazaar Shillong.
Save Soil awareness programmes are scheduled in Shillong by Meghalaya Isha Volunteers.
Flag off took place from Laitumkhrah Police Point with a ride in the city and culminated at Police Bazar with awareness program and walk. Several prominent personalities, influencers and government officials from Assam and Meghalaya have come forward to voice their support for Save Soil and encourage the participants of the Ride for Soil. Special thanks to Team Adventures, Helping hands, Marwari Yuva Manch, Senior Advocate Khalid Khan, SP Traffic Shri Shalendra Bamaniya, Suzuki Pariat Congress All India Media coordinator of State Meghalaya and president of seng kenthai Wahthatbroo, Shillong traffic Police, Airforce Officials from Assam and Meghalaya, Parizat Barua Tourist Information Officer for extending their warm support towards this movement.
“Soil health needs supportive policies in every nation.
Policies need people’s support.
People’s support needs awareness.â€
Now the magnitude of the soil degradation crisis is such that isolated individual actions are no longer sufficient to turn this around. Collective participation of all citizens is the need of the hour to assure the governments that we are ready to wait for long term solutions and policy changes to restore the agricultural soil health by bringing back at least the minimum 3-6% organic matter to the cultivable soil.
Human intelligence, competence and capability is in mitigating problems before they happen. May we come together as one voice with one message to #SaveSoil.
Let Us Make It Happen.
