Land in India suffers from varying degrees and types of degradation. This stems mainly from:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → unstable use and inappropriate management practices
Land in India is degraded mainly because it is used badly and managed poorly. Deforestation, over grazing, improper crop rotation and too much use of agro-chemicals are examples.
Option (1) a shortage of chemical fertilisers and pesticides — Incorrect. The problem is the indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, not a shortage.
Option (2) unstable use and inappropriate management practices — Correct. This is the main source of land degradation.
Option (3) low rainfall in most parts of the country — Incorrect. Low rainfall is not among the causes given; the causes are human practices.
Option (4) the use of compost in place of chemical fertilisers — Incorrect. Compost protects the soil; neglect of compost harmed the land.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.3 State of India’s Environment … The priority issues identified are (i) land degradation (ii) biodiversity loss (iii) air pollution with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities (iv) management of fresh water and (v) solid waste management. Land in India suffers from varying degrees and types of degradation stemming mainly from unstable use and inappropriate management practices.” “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 …” |