Land degradation and desertification – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and C are actually all correct about the causes, consequences and international response to land degradation. A describes drivers like overgrazing and poor irrigation, B notes reduced soil fertility and yields and C points to the UNCCD framework. D is incorrect because land degradation is closely linked to poverty, especially in rural drylands. Since option B includes only A and B and omits C, it is incomplete. The correct combination must include A, B and C only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it groups A, B and C and excludes D. It recognises the human-induced drivers of land degradation, its impact on productivity and the global policy response through UNCCD while rejecting the claim that it is unrelated to poverty. This comprehensive set matches the requirement.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it leaves out C, which is a factual statement about the UNCCD. Omitting a correct and relevant statement makes the option logically inadequate.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes D as correct along with B and C. D wrongly claims that land degradation has no connection with poverty, contradicting empirical evidence from dryland regions. Therefore, this combination cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it combines A and C with D and omits B. Besides leaving out B, which is correct, it accepts D, which misrepresents the socio-economic implications of land degradation.