Q. Unless the forces and tendencies which are responsible for destroying the country’s environment are checked in the near future and afforestation of denuded areas is taken up on a massive scale, the harshness of the climatic conditions and soil erosion by wind and water will increase to such an extent that agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people, will gradually become impossible.
The desert countries of the world and our own desert areas in Rajasthan are a grim reminder of the consequences of large-scale deforestation. Pockets of desert-like landscape are now appearing in other parts of the country including the Sutlej-Ganga Plains and the Deccan Plateau. Where only a few decades back there used to be lush green forests with perennial streams and springs, there is only brown earth, bare of vegetation, without any water in the streams and springs except in the rainy season.
Q. 1. According to the passage given above, deforestation and denudation will ultimately lead to which of the following?
1. Depletion of soil resource
2. Shortage of land for the common man
3. Lack of water for cultivation
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- a. 1 and 2 only
- b. 2 and 3 only
- c. 1 and 3 only
- d. 1, 2 and 3
Question from UPSC Prelims 2022 CSAT Paper
Explanation :
Q1: Correct Answer – c. 1 and 3 only
Explanation – The passage states that if the forces and tendencies responsible for destroying the country’s environment are not checked in the near future and afforestation of denuded areas is not taken up on a massive scale, then soil erosion by wind and water will increase to such an extent that agriculture will gradually become impossible. This implies that deforestation and denudation will lead to depletion of soil resource (option 1) and lack of water for cultivation (option 3). Therefore, the correct answer is c. 1 and 3 only.
