Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Deforestation: Clearing of forests removes protective cover, exposing soil to erosion and reducing its fertility. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, deforestation due to mining has caused severe land degradation.

Overgrazing: Excessive grazing strips vegetation, leaving soil bare and vulnerable to erosion. In Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation.

Mining: Mining and quarrying leave deep scars and over-burdening on abandoned sites. Mineral processing generates large quantities of dust, which settles on land and retards infiltration of water into the soil.

Source: Resources and Development, Chapter 1 — Land Degradation and Conservation Measures

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• The examiner expects all three causes named and briefly explained — one-two lines each.
• Specific states are important; not mentioning them loses marks.
• Keep explanations crisp; this is 3 marks (~60–90 words total).
• Do not confuse over-irrigation (Punjab/Haryana) with overgrazing — a common error.