In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?Terrace cultivationD

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Question

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?Terrace cultivationDeforestationTropical climateSelect the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — 2 onlyStep-by-step Solution:Item 1 — Terrace Cultivation: This is NOT associated with soil erosion — in fact, it is the opposite. Terrace cultivation (building step-like terraces on hill slopes) is a soil conservation technique specifically designed to PREVENT soil erosion by: (a) reducing the slope gradient (shorter, flatter surfaces slow water runoff velocity); (b) allowing more rainwater to infiltrate rather than run off; (c) reducing the area of exposed bare soil. Terrace farming has been practised for millennia in hilly regions of India (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Northeast India) as a solution to erosion. ✗Item 2 — Deforestation: This IS directly associated with soil erosion. Forest cover protects soil through multiple mechanisms: (a) tree canopies intercept rainfall, reducing the direct impact of raindrops on soil (splash erosion); (b) roots bind soil particles together, preventing detachment; (c) leaf litter creates a protective layer; (d) roots increase soil permeability, reducing runoff. When forests are cleared (deforestation), these protective mechanisms are removed, making soil highly vulnerable to both water erosion (sheet, rill, gully erosion) and wind erosion. Deforestation is the primary human cause of accelerated soil erosion in India. ✓Item 3 — Tropical Climate: While tropical climates with heavy rainfall can increase erosion potential, tropical climate ALONE is not specifically associated with India's soil erosion problem in the manner the question implies. The climate is a background condition — the PROBLEM of soil erosion in India is primarily caused by human activities (deforestation, overgrazing, poor agricultural practices), not simply by the climate itself. Moreover, not all of India has a tropical climate — there are temperate, arid, and semi-arid regions too, which also experience severe erosion. ✗Key Concept: Soil erosion in India — types and causes: Water erosion (most widespread in India) — sheet erosion (uniform thin layer removal), rill erosion (small channels), gully erosion (badlands topography, worst in Chambal ravines), streambank erosion; Wind erosion — in arid Thar Desert region; Human causes: Deforestation (primary), overgrazing (destroys grass cover), shifting cultivation, poor agricultural practices (plowing on slopes), mining, construction; Extent: India loses approximately 5.3 billion tonnes of soil annually to erosion (estimated); Watershed and soil conservation: National Watershed Management Programme, soil conservation through contour bunding, check dams, afforestation.

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?Terrace cultivationDeforestationTropical climateSelect the correct answer using the code given below.

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In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?Terrace cultivationDeforestationTropical climateSelect the correct answer using the code given below.

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More Questions from Industries – Location, Distribution & Industrial Belts

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