Query
In Criterion 3 (GRIHA Version 3) – Soil Conservation (till post-construction), its required that the soil should be tested from an ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) accredited laboratory, to make sure whether it contains the nutrient as mentioned in the manual. Is the soil testing required irrespective of it being fertile?
Solution
If the project is storing the topsoil, even then soil test report is preferred so that the nutrient value can be established, though it is not mandatory.
But, if the project wants to opt for non-applicability stating that the soil is not fertile and cannot be made fertile by adding fertilizers etc. then a test report is mandatory stating that the soil is non fertile and cannot be made fertile. In case the soil is non fertile but it is not mentioned in the report that it cannot be made fertile, in this case non applicability will not be considered.