UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Watershed management treats the entire drainage area as a unit and uses measures like contour bunds, check dams and afforestation to slow runoff. This increases infiltration, improves groundwater recharge and reduces soil erosion, helping to stabilise water availability and protect land productivity.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because good watershed practices aim to decrease surface runoff and erosion, not increase them; high runoff tends to wash away fertile topsoil.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it highlights the twin environmental benefits of better groundwater recharge and reduced soil loss, which are core objectives of watershed programmes.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since urban road construction is not the main focus of watershed management and can actually increase impervious surfaces and runoff if poorly planned.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because replacing vegetation with concrete would undermine infiltration, increase runoff and worsen land degradation—the opposite of watershed goals.

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct on goals, practices, chemical impacts, agroforestry and participation. Statement E is wrong because sustainable agriculture can use appropriate modern technology. Therefore A, B, C, D and F only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits F.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it omits A.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes E (false).

Option D:
Option D is correct because it includes A, B, C, D and F and excludes E.

Statements A, B, C, E and F are correct and jointly describe objectives, measures and co-benefits of watershed management. They show how soil and water are conserved, how rainwater harvesting aids recharge, how community participation improves outcomes and how biodiversity can recover in treated areas. Statement D is wrong because watershed development is widely used for drought mitigation and livelihood support. Therefore, the correct answer is the combination A, B, C, E and F only.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it includes all true statements and excludes D, which denies key benefits of watershed development. It reflects the integrated ecological and livelihood focus of watershed programmes.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it omits F and thereby ignores the potential for biodiversity regeneration in treated watersheds. It also still excludes D but gives an incomplete picture of environmental benefits.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it excludes A and thus fails to mention the basic aim of watershed management. Without A, the central resource-conservation objective is lost.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since it omits B, leaving out typical measures such as contour bunding and check dams, which are crucial to understanding how watershed activities are implemented.