____________ is one of the the major factor responsible for deforestation.

Correct option is D

Ans. (d) Agriculture

Sol.Agriculture is one of the major factors responsible for deforestation worldwide. Large areas of forests are cleared to create land for crop cultivation, livestock grazing, and commercial farming. This process, known as agricultural expansion, is driven by the increasing demand for food, cash crops, and animal products. Slash-and-burn techniques, monoculture farming, and land conversion for plantations like palm oil and soybeans contribute significantly to deforestation.

Information Booster:

• 80% of global deforestation is linked to agricultural activities.
• Shifting cultivation (slash-and-burn farming) is a common cause in tropical regions.
• Livestock farming leads to large-scale clearing for grazing land.
• Commercial crops like soy, palm oil, and coffee drive deforestation in many countries.
• Deforestation disrupts biodiversity, leading to loss of wildlife habitats.
• It contributes to climate change by reducing carbon absorption.
• Reforestation and sustainable farming can help mitigate the effects of deforestation.

Additional Information:

• (a) Drought – A natural disaster that affects forests but does not directly cause deforestation.
• (b) Cyclones – Strong storms can damage forests, but they do not lead to large-scale deforestation.
• (c) Eruption of Volcanoes – Volcanic eruptions destroy vegetation temporarily, but forests often regenerate over time.