Criterion 3

Soil conservation (till post-construction)

Objective
Conserve top soil till after completion of construction
activity.

Top soil preservation in Doon School, Dehradun

Commitment
Ensure adequate fertility of the
soil to support vegetative
growth.
Ensure adequate topsoil laying
for vegetative growth.
Ensure stabilization of soil in the
area where the topsoil is
vulnerable to erosion.

Top soil preservation

Compliance
The following documents to be submitted.
Site contour plan (one CAD drawing) showing drainage pattern
and demarcating.
areas where top soil laying is done, and
area where vegetation cover is provided for top soil protection.

Narrative explaining the methods of soil stabilization used;

wherever required, accompanied by photographs with brief
description.
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].

Appraisal (maximum points 2)

Proper top soil laying for vegetative growth
Proper stabilization of soil, Non Applicability condition:
For sites in which top soil could not be stored for
reasons as cited in Criterion 2.

Top soil preservation

Preserve the excavated soil (till post

construction)
Soil Composition Top soil (15-20 cm) layer is nutrient rich. The purpose of soil conservation is
to use the available fertile soil on the site for the landscape use in the proposed building, and
also to avoid the import and transportation. If the soil is not having enough nutrients for
fertility then, it has to be enriched. Following characteristics should be checked to assure
fertility in the soil.
Presence of organic carbon helps in soil aggregation and improves water-holding capacity, which helps
in slowing down the flow of water through soil. The optimum level of organic carbon in the soil ranges
from 0.5%1.0%.
Maintain a pH of 6.07.5; add lime where pH<6.0 to adjust to 6.5 or higher (up to 7.5).
Any soil having soluble salt content >500 ppm (parts per million) shall not be used for the purpose of
landscaping.
Ensure presence of basic inorganic nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in adequate
amount for healthy growth of vegetation. If required, ensure proper and timely application of fertilizers
to enhance soil fertility.
Deficiency of organic and inorganic material can be improved by application of fertilizers, but care
should be taken so as to avoid over fertilization.
The soil should be tested at an ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)- accredited laboratory
for primary plant nutrient and pH.

Soil preservation-till post

construction
Identification of the areas where the top soil (collected from
the entire site) can be stacked, stored and mulched. The site
has a rich cover of fertile soil. In a general practice is soil is
either wasted or thrown away at the time of construction. And
at the time of landscaping nutrient rich soil is imported in the
site. As a good practice, it is recommended to take top 20 cm
layer of soil out and store it at some place at site. This soil
shall be stabilized with pebbles, grass or some kind of
vegetation. Same soil shall be used for landscaping of this
site.
Water and dissolved chemicals move more quickly through
coarse textured, sandy or gravelly soil, fine textured silt, and
clay soils. Soils high in organic matter slow down the flow of
water and vegetation cover is an effective means to stabilize
disturbed soil. In areas where construction activity has
disturbed the land, temporary/permanent seeding should be
used till the final soil cover is established.

Top soil preservation

 Permanent plantation should be done in areas

where high velocity of water flow poses a
problem of erosionlike buffer, vegetated
swales, and steep slopes (grade>1:3). The
foliage effectively dissipates the energy of heavy
rain and roots hold the soil, thus preventing soil
erosion. The vegetation selected for the purpose
should be an indigenous species.
The use of mulches on slopes can help prevent
run-off and erosion problems. Few of the organic
mulch materials include shredded bark, wood
chips (waste from furniture industry), straw and
cottonseed hull, composted leaves or shredded
cedar. Inorganic mulches such as pea gravel,
crushed granite, and pebbles should be used in
unplanted areas. Stone mulches should not be
used in areas immediately adjacent to buildings
as they can heat up and cause glare.
Top soil preservation

Silt fencing
It is recommended to construct Silt
Fencing. It is required to protect the
undisturbed areas. Following is one of
the ways of doing it. Several geotextile
materials are coming in the market.
These materials are made of tough
fabrics that have quality to retain the
soil. These materials are usually in the
landscaping and farming. As a
common practice, these are placed at
the bottom of lawn areas or planters to
retain soil and block weeds. An
example of geotextile is shown in
figure
Geotextile

SILT FENCING
GEOTEXTILE
DISTURBED AREA

UNDISTURBED AREA

Construct sediment fence as close as possible to parallel to the contours of

the site.
Drive 1.5 m long star pickets into ground, 2.5 m apart (max).
Dig a 150 mm deep trench along the upslope line of the fence for the
bottom of the fabric to be entrenched.
Fix self supporting geotextile to upslope side of posts with wire ties or as
recommended by geotextile manufacturer.
Join sections of fabric at a support post with a 150 mm overlap
Backfill the trench over the base of the fabric and compact it thoroughly
over the geotextile.