The role played by earthworms in soil formation, turnover, organic matter incorporation and bio-degradation is well documented.  Most of the work on earthworms in India is confined to vermicomposting and its end product vermicompost.  Organic wastes, structural designs, earthworm species used for bio-conversion and nutrient status of vermicompost are the areas that have been focussed much, during the period between 1980 and 2010.  Surprisingly, not much significant work or reports are available on the role of earthworms, especially on endogeic and anecic earthworms in soil fertility maintenance. There is no information on conservation of these creatures in crop lands and other eco-systems also. Though quite a few reports indicate, how vermicompost nourishes crops and reduces pest activity, in depth studies on mechanisms involved are lacking.  Use of molecular tools for identification of new earthworm resources, assessing genetic diversity, earthworm    conservation, in situ vermiculture, vermicompost enrichment, shelf life and its proper storage are the areas, which need to be addressed in the coming days.