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Q42 (IAS/2014) Geography › Indian Physical Geography › Soil degradation and conservation Official Key

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? 1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical climate Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is option D because all three factors are associated with soil erosion in India.

Terraced cultivation is a good technique to control soil erosion especially in the hilly and sloppy areas[1], which indicates that terrace cultivation is practiced specifically in areas where soil erosion is a problem, making it associated with soil erosion regions. Deforestation is one of the most important causes of soil erosion in the developing countries[2], clearly establishing its association with soil erosion in India.

Regarding tropical climate, on a global scale the fastest rates occur in zones with highly seasonal precipitation, as in monsoonal, Mediterranean and semi-arid climates[3]. Since India has a monsoonal tropical climate with highly seasonal rainfall, this climate type is directly associated with soil erosion problems. Additionally, soil erosion is all the more serious in the tropical and sub-tropical countries like India, where about 6000 million tonnes of soil is being eroded annually[4].

Therefore, all three factors—terrace cultivation (as a response to erosion-prone areas), deforestation (as a cause), and tropical climate (as a contributing factor)—are associated with soil erosion in India.

Sources
  1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > vi) terraced farming > p. 20
  2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > 1. Soil Pollution > p. 34
  3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > SoIl EroSIon. > p. 17
  4. [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION > p. 58
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Q. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? 1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical cli…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10
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This is a classic 'Cause vs. Cure' logic trap disguised as a geography question. The source is pure NCERT (Class X & XI), but the difficulty lies in noticing that Statement 1 is a solution, not a problem. It rewards alert reading over deep knowledge.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is terrace cultivation associated with soil erosion in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > vi) terraced farming > p. 20
Presence: 5/5
“(vi) terraced farming Terraced cultivation is a good technique to control soil erosion especially in the hilly and sloppy areas. Terraced cultivation is generally adopted in case of gentle hill slope (<30° ) Te Angami tribe of Nagaland has developed some of the most beautiful terraced felds up to the slope of 45o around the town of Kohima, Nagaland (Fig. 6.10).”
Why this source?
  • Explicit statement that terraced cultivation is a good technique to control soil erosion, especially in hilly/sloppy areas.
  • Gives an Indian example (Nagaland) showing terracing is practiced on steep slopes, implying applicability in India.
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation > p. 12
Presence: 5/5
“In such cases the top soil is washed away. This is known as sheet erosion. Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion. Soil erosion is also caused due to defective methods of farming. Ploughing in a wrong way i.e. up and down the slope form channels for the quick flow of water leading to soil erosion. Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes. This is called contour ploughing. Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace cultivation restricts erosion. Western and central Himalayas have well developed terrace farming.”
Why this source?
  • Directly states that 'Terrace cultivation restricts erosion' and describes cutting steps on slopes to make terraces.
  • Links terrace farming with contour ploughing as a method to decelerate water flow and reduce erosion in Himalayan regions.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 25: Agriculture > Terracing: \ > p. 366
Presence: 5/5
“• o "A terrace is an embankment or ridge of earth constructed across a slope to control runoff and minimize soil erosion". • It reduces the length of the hillside slope, thereby reducing sheet and rill erosion and prevents formation of gullies.”
Why this source?
  • Defines a terrace as an embankment constructed across a slope to control runoff and minimize soil erosion.
  • Explains the mechanism: reduces slope length, thereby reducing sheet and rill erosion and preventing gullies.
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