Question

“Some wastelands are rendered unfit for agriculture by human activities.” Choose the correct option related to the statement:
(i) Shifting cultivation area
(ii) Coastal plains
(iii) Degraded pastures
(iv) Bhabar areas

• A. Only ii
• B. Both ii and iv
• C. Only iii
• D. Both i and iii

Hint:

When considering human impact on land, remember that activities like shifting cultivation and overgrazing contribute significantly to soil degradation, turning fertile land into wasteland.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

- Shifting cultivation (i) leads to deforestation and soil degradation, making it unfit for agriculture over time. This results in wastelands that cannot be used for sustainable farming.
- Coastal plains (ii) are fertile and do not typically result in wastelands from human activity. So, option (A) is incorrect.
- Degraded pastures (iii) are areas where overgrazing or poor land management leads to soil erosion, making the land unfit for agriculture.
Thus, (iii) is part of the correct answer.
- Bhabar areas (iv) are alluvial deposits found near the foothills of the Himalayas and are not typically rendered unfit for agriculture due to human activities. Therefore, option (B) is incorrect.
Thus, the correct answer is (D) Both i and iii.