Soil and Water Conservation Services
A dry, barren, often sand covered area of land is waterless and without vegetation cover. The common features of such land are; low precipitation, high temperature, high evaporation, low humidity, poor rain water efficiency, water percolation and low productivity. These lands are called Barani and arid lands but still are not considered wastelands as these can be used for cultivation and crop production through soil and water conservation activities.
Soil and water conservation services are provided by the Field Wing in the Barani and hill torrent areas of the Punjab. Some of the works being undertaken for soil and water conservation purpose are; construction of mini dams, water storage ponds, water outlet structures, retaining walls, spurs, land reclamation through gully plugging, stream bank training and moisture conservation practices such as terrace forming and deep ploughing. Soil and water conservation services to the farmers for agricultural purpose are provided through District Officers Soil Conservation on subsidized rates.