Which of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh?

Question

Accepted Answer

Step-by-step explanation:

- Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are major mineral-rich, forested plateau regions with extensive open-cast and underground mining.
- Mining causes large-scale removal of vegetation and topsoil, creation of spoil heaps, soil erosion, contamination from mine waste and acid drainage — all leading to severe land degradation.
- Among the listed options, deforestation due to mining (option $3$) directly and predominantly explains the widespread degradation in these states.
- The other options are less relevant: intensive use of manure is generally beneficial to soil; over-irrigation (salinization) is typical of irrigated plains, not these plateau mining areas; overgrazing contributes locally but is not the principal cause here.

Therefore the main cause is (3) Deforestation due to mining.

FINAL_ANSWER: c

Answer

Answer

Answer