Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: Forest cutting is desirable from the point of view of soil erosion.
Reason R: Cutting of forests reduces the interception of rain water.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A is false but R is true
Assertion A: Forest cutting is desirable from the point of view of soil erosion. False. Trees protect the soil: their roots bind it, and their leaves and fallen litter shield it from rain and wind. Cutting forests increases soil erosion, so from this point of view it is undesirable.
Reason R: Cutting of forests reduces the interception of rain water. True. The leaves and branches of trees catch (intercept) rainfall before it reaches the ground. Without them, raindrops strike the bare soil directly and more water runs off over the surface, carrying the soil away.