Correct option is D
The correct answer is (d).
Introduction
Desertification is the severe degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.
Overgrazing stands out as the most prominent anthropogenic driver of this ecological crisis. It strips the land of its natural vegetation cover, exposing the topsoil to extreme wind and water erosion.
Information Booster
- Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods without sufficient recovery time.
- It reduces the usefulness, productivity, and biodiversity of the land and is a prime trigger for desertification worldwide.
- When livestock consume plant cover down to the roots, the soil loses its anchoring structure and moisture-retaining capacity.
- Compaction of soil by the hooves of livestock further reduces water infiltration, leading to higher runoff and erosion.
- According to the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification), sustainable land management is critical to reverse this trend.
- The Sahel region in Africa has suffered massively from desertification primarily driven by chronic overgrazing and drought.
- Option A (Irrigation): While poor irrigation practices can lead to soil salinization and waterlogging, it is not the primary global cause of large-scale desertification compared to overgrazing.
- Option B (Mining): Mining severely degrades localized land areas and causes deforestation, but it is geographically restricted and not the largest driver of worldwide desertification.
- Option C (Plantation): Plantation and afforestation are generally mitigation strategies against desertification, as planting trees helps bind the soil and retain environmental moisture.
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10 Questions
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12 Mins
