Question

"The land degradation due to man-made processes has greater concern than natural processes." Evaluate the statement with examples.

Hint:

Man-made actions like deforestation and over-irrigation are major causes of land degradation and require urgent attention.

Answer 1

Man-made activities are the major contributors to land degradation in India and are more controllable than natural processes.
Deforestation: Large-scale cutting of forests for agriculture and urbanisation leads to soil erosion and loss of fertility.
Overgrazing: Uncontrolled grazing by animals damages vegetation and exposes soil.
Over-irrigation: Causes waterlogging and salinisation, reducing soil productivity.
Mining: Open-cast mining displaces topsoil and pollutes land and water bodies. In contrast, natural causes like floods or droughts affect land but are less frequent and widespread compared to continuous man-made harm.