Write a short note on the following topics.

(a) Terrace farming

(b) Shelter belts

(c) Forest or mountainous soils

(a) Terrace farming

Terraces are built on steep slopes to control soil erosion. It levels the soil and supports are built to prevent landslides. It requires skill and hard labour to build it.

(b) Shelter belts

Shelter belts are rows of trees, usually along fence lines. Where there is a lot of cultivated land, shelter belts reduce wind erosion. They reduce wind speed and provide sheltered areas on the leeward (the side away from the wind) and windward (the side toward the wind) sides of the shelterbelt.

(c) Forest or mountainous soils

It covers 8% of India’s total geographic area. They are loamy and silty and lack humus. They are useful for cultivating tea, spices, coffee and fruits. It is found in lower parts of valleys and hilly regions of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, etc.