The Himalayan region suffers from soil erosion by wind and water action. Furthermore, Glaciation, melting snow and rainfall in the mountains cause leaching of the nutrients (e.g., Iodine) from mountain soils and create deficiencies in micronutrients. Traditional methods such as contour bending, mulching, and terracing, contour farming have been in use to prevent soil loss and augment moisture conservation in Himalayan agriculture. Measures for Soil conservation would help to improve soils, prevent soil loss, conserve moisture and maintain the productivity of soil. These methods include use of shelterbelts and earth basins with infiltration pits and engineering measures as construction of check dams, gabion walls. This manual describes few of these methods, their benefits, design, steps for setting up and role in preventing soil loss and augmenting moisture conservation.

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