UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Afforestation establishes new forests that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in biomass and soils, thereby acting as a carbon sink and helping to offset emissions.

Option A:
Incorrect; forests do not simply reflect all solar radiation, and their climatic effects are more complex than uniform cooling by reflection.

Option B:
Correct; it explains how planting trees sequesters carbon and lowers net greenhouse gas concentrations.

Option C:
Incorrect; even large-scale tree planting cannot eliminate the need to reduce emissions from sectors like energy, transport and industry.

Option D:
Incorrect; trees also emit water vapour and other gases; saying they emit only oxygen oversimplifies plant physiology.

Social forestry programmes focus on involving local communities in tree planting and management outside traditional forest areas. The objectives include supplying fuelwood,fodder and small timber while improving the environment. The stem mentions planting on community lands and roadsides for local needs,which is a hallmark of social forestry. Therefore social forestry is the correct answer.

Option A:
Social forestry emphasises both livelihood support and ecological benefits such as soil conservation and micro climate improvement. Because the question stresses meeting local needs as well as tree planting,this option aligns closely with the described approach.

Option B:
Industrial forestry is oriented toward large scale timber production,often in monoculture plantations,primarily for industrial use. It is not specifically designed to meet small local subsistence needs,so it does not match the stem.

Option C:
Clear cut forestry refers to a harvesting method in which all or most trees in an area are felled at once. It describes a logging practice rather than a community oriented planting programme.

Option D:
Commercial forestry is driven mainly by profit from wood or other products and may not prioritise local subsistence needs or community participation. Hence it is not the best fit for the concept in the question.

Afforestation involves establishing forests on lands that have not been forested for a long time or ever in recent history. It is used to increase forest area,store carbon and restore ecological functions on degraded lands. The stem clearly mentions planting trees on land not previously forested,which is the defining feature of afforestation. Therefore afforestation is the correct option.

Option A:
Deforestation is the removal of forest cover,usually for agriculture,settlement or logging. It leads to loss of biodiversity and carbon storage. Since the question describes planting trees rather than cutting them,deforestation is the opposite of what is intended.

Option B:
Reforestation refers to re planting trees on lands that were recently forested but have been cleared or degraded. It restores former forest areas but does not necessarily involve new forest establishment on non forest land. Hence it does not precisely match the stem.

Option C:
Afforestation contributes to increasing overall forest area beyond current levels and can help combat desertification and climate change. Because the stem emphasises new forest creation on non forest land,this option captures the concept accurately.

Option D:
Clear felling is a logging method in which most or all trees in an area are cut at once. It is a harvesting technique and not a planting or restoration activity,so it does not fit the description.

Statements A, B and C are correct as they summarise the definition, geographic focus and control measures for land degradation and desertification. These processes reduce productivity and resilience, particularly in drylands. Statement D is incorrect because global and national programmes explicitly link combating desertification with poverty reduction and livelihood protection. Therefore, the combination A, B and C only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete as it lists only A and B and omits C. Without mentioning key control measures, the answer does not show how degradation can be addressed.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes only B and C and leaves out A, which defines land degradation in general and is fundamental to the topic.

Option C:
Option C is correct since it includes all the true statements about what land degradation is, where desertification occurs and how these problems can be mitigated. It also correctly excludes D, which wrongly disconnects desertification from livelihoods.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it groups A, C and D, accepting D as correct. Doing so would deny the strong poverty–environment link highlighted in international conventions and development policies.