Indian Network for Soil Contamination Research (INSCR), Delhi University and Amity University is pleased to announce a National Conference on "Environmental Pollution, Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture" on January 15th to 17th 2013 at Amity University Campus, Noida.

Aims and Objectives:

Environmental pollution influences both soil and agriculture which are the two facets of valuable resource necessary for our sustenance. For agriculture, soil is generally assumed as an inexhaustible resource, which is used and overused continually for increasing production. The soil today has virtually become lifeless in many places with increasing development & industrialization. Soil, microflora, fauna, nutrients and associated habitat has the potential to influence the soil ecosystem, agriculture, environment and economy in one go. Soil and its living organisms are an integral part of agricultural ecosystems and environment, playing a critical role in maintaining soil health, ecosystem functions and productivity. They range from the myriad of invisible microbes, bacteria and fungi to the more familiar macro-fauna such as earthworms and termites. Plant roots can also be considered as soil organisms in view of their symbiotic relationships and interactions with other soil components. These diverse organisms interact with one another and with the various plants and animals in the ecosystem, forming a complex web of biological activity.

The rapid pace of industrialization has made this soil ecosystem, one of the worst hit victims. The development process has ushered in the challenges of soil contamination, microbial and biodiversity loss. Current growth patterns are reflecting on the very productivity of our agricultural soils. It is time to recognize that the economic and social development depends on the protection of the environment and reduction of the human impact. Environmental problems, which may have global impacts, are complex and often interrelated with socio-economic factors. Problems of soil contamination, pollution and degradation, loss of biodiversity do not recognize political borders and pose major threats to human safety, health and productivity. The need to take actions to sustain soil and its immediate environment becomes pressing and challenging task in today’s environment. One of the important dimensions of the efforts for environmental protection is raising public awareness and participation. The conference aims to provide a platform to deliberate on concerns on soil toxicology, soil contamination, soil management, technologies and impacts on human health and our approaches to answer these challenges. The deliberations are expected to provide an understanding of the complex interplay of soil, agriculture, and the environment with the underlying concept that soil is elixir of life and is one of the five components of earth, water, fire, air and space, essential to our existence.