The correct option is 1, 2, 3 and 4 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Explanation
Common Property Resources (CPRs) refer to resources accessible to and collectively managed by a specific community, such as village pastures, community forests, ponds, and river banks. These resources provide sustenance, fodder, and fuel, particularly to rural populations. Their decline is driven by a combination of socio-economic pressures and ecological factors.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Privatisation involves the transfer of ownership or usage rights of common lands to individuals. This conversion of community land into private holdings directly reduces the area available as a common resource.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Agricultural intensification often leads to the conversion of common lands (such as pastures or "wastelands") into cultivated croplands to meet rising food demands. This encroachment shrinks the physical extent of CPRs.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Population growth increases the pressure on limited common resources. Higher demand for fuel, fodder, and water leads to over-exploitation, reducing the per capita availability and sustainability of these resources (often referred to as the "Tragedy of the Commons").
- Statement 4 is Correct: Ecosystem degradation, such as soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, diminishes the quality and productivity of CPRs. When a resource becomes biologically unproductive or hazardous, it effectively declines as a viable support system for the community.
Key Takeaway:
The decline of Common Property Resources is a multifaceted process driven by land-use changes (privatisation, agriculture), demographic pressure (population growth), and ecological deterioration (degradation).