Contour Ploughing
Explanation
Soil conservation techniques in hilly regions are designed to minimize surface runoff and prevent soil erosion. Specific methods are adopted based on the topography to reduce the velocity of water flowing down slopes.Analysis of Options:
- Terrace Farming Terrace Farming: This method involves cutting broad, flat steps or terraces into steep slopes to provide flat surfaces for crop cultivation. While it reduces runoff, it involves structural modification of the slope into steps, distinct from simply ploughing along contours.
- Contour Ploughing Contour Ploughing: This refers to ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope rather than up and down. The furrows created act as natural barriers to the flow of water, decelerating runoff and increasing water infiltration. This aligns exactly with the description provided.
- Strip Cropping Strip Cropping: This technique involves dividing large fields into strips where crops are alternated with strips of grass. The grass strips help break the force of the wind and are not primarily defined by ploughing patterns along contours.
- Shelter Belts Shelter Belts: This involves planting rows of trees to obstruct wind movement. It is commonly used in coastal and dry regions to stabilize sand dunes and prevent wind erosion, rather than water erosion on hill slopes.
Key Takeaway: Contour ploughing follows the natural topography to create water barriers without altering the slope's shape, whereas terrace farming physically modifies the slope into step-like structures.