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RAS question

Consider the following statements about soil conservation methods used in Rajasthan: 1. Contour bunding involves constructing earthen embankments along contour lines to reduce the velocity of runoff and promote water infiltration. 2. Windbreaks (shelterbelts) are rows of trees or shrubs planted perpendicular to the direction of prevailing winds to reduce wind erosion. 3. In the arid western districts of Rajasthan, sand dune stabilisation using Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) and Rohida (Tecomella undulata) plantations is a proven method. 4. Check dams constructed across seasonal streams (nalas) help recharge groundwater and reduce soil loss through gully erosion. Which of the statements given above are CORRECT?

Correct answer: (D) All four.

In Rajasthan, contour bunding, windbreaks, Ber and Rohida-based sand dune stabilisation, and check dams across nalas are all valid soil-conservation methods.

  1. (A)

    1 and 4 only

  2. (B)

    1, 2 and 4 only

  3. (C)

    2, 3 and 4 only

  4. (D)

    All four

Explanation

All four statements are correct because they match the main ways Rajasthan deals with water and wind erosion. Contour bunding uses bunds along contour lines to slow runoff and improve infiltration. Windbreaks or shelterbelts work when placed perpendicular to prevailing winds, reducing wind speed and sand movement. In the arid west, biological stabilisation of sand dunes through hardy desert species is a proven approach; Ber and Rohida are suitable species, and the official dryland afforestation manual treats vegetation and afforestation as long-term dune-stabilisation methods. Check dams across drainage lines or nalas slow runoff, trap sediment, reduce channel and gully erosion, and allow some stored water to infiltrate.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (A) It omits statements 2 and 3, although windbreaks placed perpendicular to prevailing winds and Ber-Rohida-based dune stabilisation are both valid erosion-control measures.
  • (B) It wrongly excludes statement 3, even though the dryland afforestation manual supports biological sand dune stabilisation using hardy desert vegetation.
  • (C) It omits statement 1, although contour bunding is a standard soil-and-water conservation method used to slow runoff and improve infiltration.

Concept

This tests applied soil conservation in Rajasthan: matching each erosion problem with the correct field intervention. It recurs in RAS because the state has both arid wind-erosion zones and runoff-linked gully and watershed problems.

Source

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