Shelter/Protection Belts

Planting and maintenance of shelter or protection belts is another important method of soil and water management. Shelter belts are composed of ground vegetation cover, for example trees and bushes, that provide shelter to crops from very hot sun and desiccating dry winds. They also provide a pathway for run-off of excess water during heavy (monsoon) rains that is protected from erosion by the vegetation. Thus they help to control runoff, conserve soil, improve water percolation into the soil, conserve moisture, and provide sediment-free water downstream.