Overgrazing on land by cattle. This leaves the soil surface bare of vegetation, thereby exposing it to wind and water.
Planting crops down the contour instead of along it.
Drought conditions (climate change).
Cutting down of forests/trees (deforestation) for extracting timber, medicinal plants, road construction, farming, building of houses etc. This leaves the soil surface bare of vegetation, thereby exposing it to wind and water.
Clearing of farmland by bush burning, leaving the soil surface bare of vegetation.
Overuse of chemical artificial fertilizers. This makes the soil to lose its crumb structure and become powdery, such that it can easily be eroded by wind or water.
