Correct Option
Deforestation is a primary factor contributing to soil erosion in India. The removal of forest cover exposes the soil directly to the erosive forces of wind and water. Tree roots bind soil particles, and the canopy reduces the impact of raindrops, thereby preventing soil detachment and transport. Without this protective cover, soil becomes vulnerable to degradation and loss.
Incorrect Options
- 1. Terrace cultivation: This is a soil conservation technique, not a cause of soil erosion. It involves cutting steps into hillsides to create flat areas for farming, which reduces the slope length and angle, thereby slowing down water runoff and preventing soil loss.
- 3. Tropical climate: While tropical climates are often characterized by high-intensity rainfall, which can accelerate soil erosion, the climate itself is a natural environmental condition. Soil erosion is primarily a problem associated with land-use practices and human activities (like deforestation) that degrade the land, making it susceptible to the erosive power of climatic factors. Therefore, tropical climate alone is not considered a direct "problem associated with" soil erosion in the same operational context as deforestation.