Causes of Land Degradation:

There are various causes of land degradation. The following are some of the significant causes:

1. Deforestation
Deforestation is the process of clearing trees from land. It is one of the most significant causes of land degradation. Trees are essential in preventing soil erosion, and their removal can lead to soil erosion, which leads to land degradation.

2. Overgrazing
Overgrazing refers to the excessive use of land by animals, usually domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion, which in turn leads to land degradation.

3. Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is the process of wearing away of soil by water or wind. Soil erosion can result from deforestation, overgrazing, and other activities that disturb the soil. Soil erosion leads to land degradation.

4. Agricultural Activities
Agricultural activities such as monoculture, intensive farming, and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can lead to soil degradation, which in turn leads to land degradation.

5. Mining Activities
Mining activities involve the extraction of minerals from the ground. Mining can lead to the removal of vegetation, soil erosion, and contamination of soil and water. These activities can lead to land degradation.

6. Urbanization
Urbanization involves the growth of cities and towns. Urbanization can lead to the destruction of natural habitats, soil erosion, and soil contamination. These activities can lead to land degradation.

Conclusion:

Land degradation is a significant problem that affects many parts of the world. The causes of land degradation are varied and can be attributed to human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, agricultural activities, mining activities, and urbanization. It is essential to take measures to prevent land degradation to ensure the sustainability of the earth's resources.

Answer:
Causes of land degradation:

Mining sites are abandoned after the excavation work is done, Reaving deep scars of overburdening. In states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, deforestation due to mining has caused severe land degradation.

Overgrazing in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra is one of the main reasons behind land degradation.

Overirrigation and waterlogging lead to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, thereby leading to land degradation.

Mineral processing like grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceremic industry generate huge quantities of dust in the atmosphere. It stops the infiltration of water in the soil.

Industrial effluents as wastes have become a major source of land and water pollution in many parts of the country.