Shillong: Meghalaya loses approximately 10 million metric tones of top soil annually through practice of shifting cultivation, deforestation and other methods of soil degradation activities, said the Director of Soil and Water Conservation, KC Momin at the annual general meeting of Meghalaya Soil and Water Conservation held at the Conservation Training Institute at Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Momin pointed out that the traditional method of slash and burn or jhum cultivation, practiced by the tribals, not only reduced forest covers but also exposed the top soil to rain and wind. Meghalaya, being in the hilly region, the top soil gets washed away by rainwaters during rainy season, and with continued practice of jhumming, more soil is lost every year by the state. Emphasising on adopting soil conservation practices, Momin said its important to preserve the soil as life directly or indirectly depends on soil. "Once the soil is washed away, it could not be restored again," added Momin. He also stressed on conservation and management of land resources and strive towards producing the maximum from the available cultivable land to meet the increasing demands of the State. Joint Director of Conservation Training Institute DS Kharsyntiew also spoke on the occasion. The meeting discussed the process of keeping the work of the department alive by implementing different schemes for the prosperity of the State and its people.