Consider the following statements related to man-nature interaction:

(a) In the Himalayan region, pine trees are more prone to forest fire.
(b) Shifting of cropping patterns from diversified crops to monoculture is a threat to food security in India.
(c) Slum habitation is associated with metropolitan cities only.
(d) Alternate cultivation of wheat and rice in the rabi and kharif season deteriorates the nitrogen in the soil.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

In the Himalayan region, pine trees are more prone to forest fire. → Correct

• Pine trees have resinous material, which is highly flammable, making them more prone to forest fires.
• The dry climate and strong winds in the Himalayan region increase the risk of wildfires.

Shifting of cropping patterns from diversified crops to monoculture is a threat to food security in India. → Correct

• Monoculture depletes soil nutrients, increases vulnerability to pests, and reduces biodiversity.
• Diversified farming ensures sustainable agriculture and resilience against climate change.

Alternate cultivation of wheat and rice in the rabi and kharif season deteriorates the nitrogen in the soil. → Correct

• Both wheat and rice are high-nutrient-demanding crops that exhaust soil nitrogen levels.
• Continuous cropping without proper crop rotation or organic replenishment leads to soil degradation.

Information Booster:

• Pine trees in the Himalayas are highly flammable due to their resin content.
• Monoculture reduces genetic diversity and soil health, increasing risks to food security.
• Slums are not limited to metropolitan cities but exist in smaller towns as well.
• Continuous wheat-rice cropping leads to soil depletion, requiring sustainable farming practices like crop rotation.

Additional Knowledge:

​Slum habitation is associated with metropolitan cities only. → Incorrect

• Slums are found not only in metropolitan cities but also in smaller urban areas, towns, and peri-urban regions.
• Rural-to-urban migration, lack of affordable housing, and urban poverty contribute to slum formation across various settlements.

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