Methods of soil conservation: (i) Contour ploughing or ploughing along the contour lines of a highland can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes. (ii) Terrace cultivation or cutting of steps around the slopes to provide land for agriculture also checks downhill flow of water and controls soil erosion, e.g., as in Western and Central Himalayan region. (iii) Strip cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. (iv) Afforestation or planting of trees in the hilly regions can help in soil conservation.