The document discusses strategies for soil conservation during construction projects. It describes how topsoil can be affected by excavation, deforestation, erosion, and paving during construction. Solutions discussed include retaining vegetation cover, properly storing and replacing topsoil, using sediment control measures like silt fencing and basins, contouring land, and afforestation. Stormwater management strategies are also important to prevent soil runoff and erosion. Two case studies of buildings that implemented soil conservation strategies are briefly described.

1. Appraisal Points
Applicability Check 2
Top soil quality meets the quality standard of
top preservation criteria as per criteria 3
Yes
Top soil is fertile and properly laid for
vegetative growth
1
Measure taken for proper stabilization of soil 1

2. Soil conservation (till post-construction)
Objective
Conserve top soil till after completion of construction activity. (in accordance with NBC 2005 Part 10)
3.1 Commitment
3.1.1 Ensure adequate fertility of the soil to support vegetative growth.
3.1.2 Ensure adequate topsoil laying for vegetative growth.
3.1.3 Ensure stabilization of soil in the area where the topsoil is vulnerable to erosion.
3.2 Compliance
The following documents to be submitted.
3.2.1 Site contour plan (one CAD drawing) showing drainage pattern and demarcating (a) areas where top soil
laying is done, and (b) area where vegetation cover is provided for top soil protection.
3.2.2 Narrative explaining the methods of soil stabilization used; wherever required, accompanied by
photographs with brief description.
3.2.3 Certificate by the landscape architect on topsoil laying, soil stabilization, and adequate primary soil
nutrient and pH [(supported by test results performed at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)–
accredited laboratory].

3. Soil Layers

4. Topsoil & How it Gets affected ?
• It takes approximately 100 years for 1 inch (2.5 cm) of topsoil to be
deposited, that too if there is the correct ratio of organic material,
inorganic material, and moisture present at the site.
• Topsoil is the upper layer of a soil profile, usually darker in colour
(because of its higher organic matter content) and more fertile than
subsoil, and which is a product of natural biological and environmental
processes.
• Topsoil is typically between 5 - 20 cm (2 - 8 inches) deep. It can also be
measured as the depth from the surface level to the subsoil, i.e. the
distance to the first densely-packed layer of soil.
• The topsoil is where the majority of the biological soil activity occurs, as
it contains the highest concentration of organic matter and
microorganisms, due to decomposition from animals, plants, and so on.
The topsoil contains the highest concentration of plant roots, as plants
acquire the majority of their nutrients from the topsoil layer.

5. How it Gets affected ?
• Soil loses its stability due to excess excavation in its immediate periphery,
or is damaged due to it spilling of harmful chemicals such as solvents,
paints and oils that are used in the construction process.
• Rapid deforestation occurs due to the sudden mass removal of
vegetation and soil, especially when post construction activities do not
involve any afforestation or landscape activities.
• This further allows the soil to be carried away/eroded in the monsoons,
or due to improperly channelled wastewater from the construction site

6. How Topsoil gets Affected
• At a later date, particularly for landscape design, soil is extracted from
other sites. This not only depletes the fertility of the soil there, but also
takes time to adjust/bind to the lower soil strata in the building area.
• Depending on the vegetation and the sub-soil characteristics, give a
certain quality to the soil, which allows specific trees and plants
vegetation) to grow in it. The vegetation then further supports several
million life forms such as bacteria, microbes, fungi, plants, insects, birds,
and animals. Changing the soil type then has a destructive impact on the
all the above aspects
• Fully paving the entire building site covers the soil with an impermeable
membrane and ends its possibility of replenishing its nutrient richness
through natural processes. Since water is also disallowed from
percolating into the soil, the soil eventually changes its characteristics
over a period of time and can pose a threat to the building.

7. Solutions
• Vegetative cover such as grass and trees also
hold the soil together via their roots, and
prevent it from eroding.
• Environmentally. an attempt should be made to
retain as much of the soil cover and vegetation
as possible and not alter the natural settings of
the site. Contours, natural catchment areas,
ridges and so on, should be retained and the
building should be designed in as
environmentally benign manner as possible. This
minimizes the expenditure on removing soil,
felling trees and vegetation, and retains the
richness of the site till the end.
• Stored topsoil should be laid back properly and
stabilized. Nutritive values of soil should be
enhanced if they are not adequate for vegetative
growth. And can be reapplied for landscape
work.

8. Jute gunny bag fencing/silt fencing
To reduce adverse environmental impacts of sediments on surrounding
area.

9. Solutions
• Sedimentation control is essential because
it is one of the primary causes of water
pollution.
• In terms of planning, there must be a
sedimentation control plan, in which the
run-of wate is first collected in a
temporary sedimentation pond on site (at
the lowest point on site). Once the
sediments in water settle down, the water
can be pumped into the city storm water
drains. This ensures that the city drainage
systems are not clogged up with debris
and loose soil.
• Temporary sedimentation tanks along with
soil erosion channels were constructed on
site.
Sediment Control Basins . . . basins are
commonly used on construction sites to
retain sediment by impounding and slowly
releasing runoff. Sediment settles out of
standing water, so maximizing the time
water is impounded increases the amount of
sediment retained on site. Basin outlets can
be wrapped in geotextile or bedded in gravel
to enhance trap efficiency.

10. Trees on soil-conservation
structures…. afforestation

11. For farming
• Contouring or terracing
of ground:
• Can take advantage of
natural contours.
• Can minimize cut and
fill.

12. Rolled Erosion Control
• mats or blankets of organic or
synthetic materials applied to the
soil surface to protect disturbed
areas from erosion until vegetative
cover is established.
• Rolled erosion control products are
especially effective at controlling
erosion on severe slopes or areas
of concentrated flows.
• This roll of coconut fibre matting
will be used to provide cover until
vegetation is established.

13. Storm water management

14. Storm water management

15. Doon School, Dehradun.

16. • Location : SIPCOT IT Park, Siruseri, Chennai
• Site Area : 3944 m2
• Built up Area : 10734 m2
• Air-conditioned Area : 5430 m2
• Non Air- conditioned Area : 5304 m2
• Typology : Commercial/Office
• Energy Consumption Reduction : 25.7%
• EPI : 104 kWh/m2
• Renewable Energy : 35 kWp Solar PV Panels
• GRIHA provisional rating : 4 Stars
• Year of completion : 2014
• The following strategies were adopted to reduce the building
impact on the natural environment:
• Sustainable Site Planning:
• Excavation and Construction activities were completed prior to
monsoon season to prevent soil erosion and soil run-off from
project site.
• More than 73 trees were planted though the site was bereft of
trees.
• Utilities were planned in such a way that the on-site circulation
efficiency was optimized.
• Grass pavers are provided to reduce imperviousness of project
site.
ENGINEERS INDIA BHAWAN

17. • Location : Jain Hills, Jalgaon
• Site area : 9000 m2
• Built-up area : 6,000 m2
• Air-conditioned area : 4,600 m2
• Non Air-conditioned area : 1,400 m2
• Energy consumption reduction : 65% reduction in energy consumption
compared to
• GRIHA benchmark
• EPI : 41 kWh/m2/year KWh/ m2/year
• Renewable Energy : Rated capacity of solar PV installed on site is 20.24
kWp
• GRIHA provisional rating : 5 Stars
• Year of completion : 2013
• The following strategies were adopted to reduce the building impact
on the natural environment:
• Sustainable site planning:
• The building blocks have been designed in accordance to the terrain of
the site ensuring that there is minimum
• site disturbance.
• All existing trees have been retained on site and are a part of the
building post occupancy.
• Minimum impact on environment is ensured by planting native trees,
employing efficient storm water management, installation of pervious
paving on site for more than 60% of the paved area, use of e-vehicles on
site.
GANDHI RESEARCH FOUNDATION