Question

Consider the following statements. Chose the correct option.
(i) By the end of the twentieth century, the forest cover in India was reduced to 19.4 per cent.
(ii) National forest policy was implemented in the year 1988.
(iii) The average annual production of dry grass or hay in India is about 250 million tons.
(iv) About 10% of the world’s population lives in arid or semi-arid regions.
(A) (i) and (ii) are true
(B) (i), (iii) and (iv) are false
(C) (i), (ii), and (iii) are true
(D) (iii) is false

Answer 1

Hint: The main aim of the national forest policy was to ensure stability in our environment and maintain a balance which we call environmental equilibrium.
Step by step solution:
The percentage of forest cover ranged from nearly 30% at the beginning of the 20th century to barely 19.4% by its conclusion. The National Forest Policy of India suggests a 33 per cent forest cover for lowlands and around 67 per cent for hilly areas, including the Himalayas. But now, things are strikingly different.
The National Forest Policy, 1988 is a law passed by the Indian Parliament to update the National Forest Policy of 1952. [1] The idea of empowering and incorporating local populations in the protection and development of forests was extensively advocated by the 1988 National Forest Policy. The Joint Forest Management Program (JFM or JFMP), launched by the Government of India in 1990, was a direct result of the National Forest Policy of 1988. It was first used in West Bengal as a pilot project in 1971, and it was restarted with great success in the late 1980s.
The National Forest Policy of 1988's fundamental goal is to maintain ecological balance, especially atmospheric equilibrium, which is essential for the survival of all living forms, including humans, animals, and plants. This primary objective must come before any direct economic advantage. One of the few nations with a forest policy dating back to 1894 is India. The guidelines were updated in 1952 and once more in 1988. The protection, conservation, and development of forests is the cornerstone of the 1988 amended forest policy.
therefore, option (C) is correct.
Note: In India, there are forests on around 20% of the country's area. At the start of the 20th century, the percentage was 30%. According to the "National Forest Policy," the current forest cover, which is at 20 per cent, is quite low compared to the ideal forest cover, which is 33 per cent (1988). On slopes, it advises a 67 per cent forest cover. There are around 250 million tonnes of hay available in India.