Correct Option
The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
Nomadic herding, also known as pastoral nomadism, is a primitive subsistence activity. In this system, herders rely on animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools, and transport. They move from one place to another along with their livestock, depending on the availability of pastures and water.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Nomadic herding is a direct adaptation to harsh environments where crop cultivation is difficult or impossible. It is a response to climatic constraints (such as aridity or extreme cold) and rugged terrain, allowing humans to survive in marginal lands by utilizing livestock to convert sparse vegetation into usable resources.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Animals are not reared exclusively for transportation. While they are used for transport, they are primarily kept for milk, meat, wool, hides, and other products essential for the survival of the herding community.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Nomadic herding is not practiced in the tropical rainforests of Brazil (Amazon basin). The Amazon region is traditionally associated with hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation. Nomadic herding is concentrated in three main regions:
- The core region extending from the Atlantic shores of North Africa eastwards across the Arabian peninsula into Mongolia and Central China.
- The Tundra region of Eurasia.
- Small areas in South-West Africa and on the island of Madagascar.
Key Takeaway: Nomadic herding is a subsistence strategy suited to arid, semi-arid, and tundra regions, relying on livestock for multiple needs (food, clothing, shelter), not just transportation.