Assertion (A): Since 1951, over 5,000 sq km of forest was cleared for river valley projects.
Reason (R): Large-scale development projects have contributed significantly to the loss of forest.
Answer:
Clearing of forests is still continuing with projects like the Narmada Sagar Project in Madhya Pradesh , which would inundate 40,000 hectares of forest .
Therefore,
- Since 1951 , for river valley projects over 5,000 sq km of forest has been cleared.
- Large-scale development projects have contributed significantly to the loss of forest.
- And, River valley projects are large scale developmental projects
Thus,
- Assertion is true .
- Reason is true .
- And, reasoning is the correct explanation of assertion.
So, the correct answer is (a).
