Over-cultivation, unrestricted grazing and deforestation results in all of the following except:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Increase in soil salinity
Option (1) Soil erosion — A result. NCERT says the fertile top-soil can be removed easily by over-cultivation, unrestricted grazing and deforestation. This loss of top-soil is soil erosion.
Option (2) Desertification — A result. These practices leave arid patches of land. When large barren patches extend and meet over time, a desert is created; this is desertification.
Option (3) Increase in soil salinity — Not a result. Soil salinity rises mainly from excess irrigation, not from these practices.
Option (4) Leaching — A result. Bare soil with no plant cover loses its nutrients as rainwater washes them down and away (leaching). This adds to the loss of the fertile top-soil.
Note: This question is from Chapter 16, Environmental Issues, of the pre-rationalised NCERT book. This chapter is not in the present NCERT book (2026-27). The extract below is from the pre-rationalised edition.
NCERT Extract (Pre-rationalised edition, Chapter 16, Environmental Issues):
Degradation by Improper Resource Utilisation and Maintenance – “… Soil erosion and desertification: The development of the fertile top-soil takes centuries. But, it can be removed very easily due to human activities like over-cultivation, unrestricted grazing, deforestation and poor irrigation practices, resulting in arid patches of land. When large barren patches extend and meet over time, a desert is created.”