Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

India's forest cover remains far below the 33% target set by the National Forest Policy, 1952, which was considered essential for maintaining ecological balance. Meanwhile, land under non-agricultural uses — settlements, roads, railways, and industries — has steadily grown, reflecting rapid urbanisation and industrialisation.

Together, these trends reveal that India has prioritised economic and infrastructural growth over ecological conservation. Land is being diverted from forests to developmental uses without adequate compensatory measures.

Long-term consequences: Reduced forest cover leads to land degradation, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disrupted ecological balance. Millions living on forest fringes lose livelihoods. Continuous land use without conservation measures causes further degradation, threatening sustainable development.

Source: Resources and Development, Chapter 1 — Land Use Pattern in India; Land Degradation and Conservation Measures

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• Examiners expect you to link both trends (declining/stagnant forest cover + rising non-agricultural land use) and draw a conclusion about India's priorities.
• The phrase "far lower than the desired 33%" and the reason (ecological balance, livelihoods) come directly from the textbook — use them.
• For "long-term consequences," the textbook explicitly mentions land degradation, social and environmental repercussions — stick to these; don't invent points.
• At 3 marks, keep it to 3 tight points: trend analysis → what it reveals → consequences.