Identify the correct reasons for cutting and clearing of Amazon rain forest?
(A) Cultivating soyabeans
(B) Growing wheat and maize
(C) Setting up industries
(D) Conversion to grasslands for raising beef cattle
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A) and (D) only
The Amazon rain forest is called the ‘lungs of the planet’ because it is so huge. It holds probably millions of species. It is being cut and cleared for two uses that NCERT names.
(A) Cultivating soyabeans — Correct. The forest is cleared to grow soya beans.
(B) Growing wheat and maize — Incorrect. NCERT does not give these crops as a reason for clearing the Amazon forest.
(C) Setting up industries — Incorrect. Industries are not named as a reason for clearing the Amazon forest.
(D) Conversion to grasslands for raising beef cattle — Correct. Large areas are turned into grassland to raise beef cattle.
NCERT Extract:
Loss of Biodiversity – “… The Amazon rain forest (it is so huge that it is called the ‘lungs of the planet’) harbouring probably millions of species is being cut and cleared for cultivating soya beans or for conversion to grasslands for raising beef cattle.”