High speed of water results in a massive loss of soil through rill and sheet erosion. Population pressure forces settlement in marginal areas together with poor farming practices such as over cultivation and overgrazing by domestic animals. Therefore, the land in most instances is left without adequate ground cover. The resultant long term after-effects are a massive environmental degradation and a declining resource base. If it continues, environmental degradation will lead to increasing problems like shortage of food, energy and water.