How many of the following are given in NCERT as factors responsible for land degradation in India?
(A) Open access resource
(B) Poverty of the agriculture-dependent people
(C) Encroachment into forest lands
(D) Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures
(E) Use of compost made from organic wastes
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Four
Twelve factors are listed for land degradation. Four of the five items are among them.
(A) Open access resource — Correct. It is factor (xi).
(B) Poverty of the agriculture-dependent people — Correct. It is factor (xii).
(C) Encroachment into forest lands — Correct. It is factor (iv).
(D) Non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures — Correct. It is factor (vi).
(E) Use of compost made from organic wastes — Incorrect. Compost improves the land. It is a strategy for sustainable development, used in place of chemical fertilisers.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.3 State of India’s Environment … Some of the factors responsible for land degradation are (i) loss of vegetation occuring due to deforestation (ii) unsustainable fuel wood and fodder extraction (iii) shifting cultivation (iv) encroachment into forest lands (v) forest fires and over grazing (vi) non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures (vii) improper crop rotation (viii) indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides (ix) improper planning and management of irrigation systems (x) extraction of ground water in excess of the recharge capacity (xi) open access resource and (xii) poverty of the agriculture-dependent people.” “7.5 Strategies for Sustainable Development … Farmers, in large numbers all over the country, have again started using compost made from organic wastes of different types. In certain parts of the country, cattle are maintained only because they produce dung which is an important fertiliser and soil conditioner. …” |