For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
World Soil Day 2025 was celebrated globally on December 5 under the theme “Healthy Soil for Healthy Cities.” To mark the occasion, ForestAction Nepal, serving as the secretariat for the Alliance of Agriculture for Food (AAF), organized a special youth-focused event titled “Mato Bahas” (Dialogue on Soil) in Kathmandu. The program brought together around 30 students from diverse academic backgrounds, including Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering, Law, Humanities, Education, Environment, and Climate Studies, along with soil expert Dr. Bhava Prasad Tripathi and members of AAF.
The event began with an engaging participatory activity called “Vote for Soil.” Two soil samples, one from a forest (Soil Sample A) and another from a heavily cultivated field (Soil Sample B), were placed in separate boxes. In the first round, participants were asked to choose the “better” soil based solely on touch, without seeing the samples. During the discussion that followed, many shared that they had preferred Soil Sample A because it felt finer, moister, and richer in organic matter, with noticeable leaf particles.
In the second round, participants were allowed to see and smell the samples, and Soil Sample A once again received the highest votes. Its natural earthy aroma stood in sharp contrast to Soil Sample B, which lacked any distinct smell. This collective observation led to a key conclusion: forest soil is more vibrant and biologically active, whereas the cultivated field soil, exposed to heavy use of chemical fertilizers, has become comparatively depleted.
Following the activities and discussion, education specialist Tika Bhattarai emphasized the need to integrate soil awareness into education, reminding participants that soil is a living entity that must be protected. Soil expert Dr. Bhava Prasad Tripathi highlighted the urgency of reducing chemical inputs and promoting practices that enhance soil organic matter and vitality. Similarly, agriculture expert and activist Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel stressed that soil forms the foundation of human life and that safeguarding it is a shared responsibility.
The program concluded with remarks from AAF activist Sujata Tamang, who highlighted the critical role of youth in restoring and preserving soil health. She encouraged participants to contribute meaningfully from their respective fields and capacities to ensure healthier soil and healthier cities, in the years ahead.
