Question

The state which is the best example of gully erosion is _____
A.Uttar Pradesh
B.Chhattisgarh
C.Maharashtra
D.Madhya Pradesh

Answer 1

Hint: Gully erosion is an extensive and generally intense form of soil erosion caused by the flowing of surface water. It involves open, uneven channels that have been cut more than 30 centimeters deep into the ground. Gully erosion is caused by interplay of various factors such as land use, climate and slope.

Complete answer: Option A: Uttar Pradesh faces various types of land erosion, namely- water erosion, wind erosion, waterlogging, salinity and nutrient depletion. Nearly 30% of land in Uttar Pradesh is degraded land.
Option B: Slash and burn agriculture is responsible for soil erosion in many areas including Chhattisgarh. In this type of agriculture no precautions are taken to protect the soil, hence causing it to deplete. This is a common problem in the hilly areas of Chhattisgarh.
Option C: In Maharashtra, over 70 per cent of the agricultural land has been depleted by erosion, of which about a third is no longer fit for agriculture. The major cause of soil erosion in Maharashtra is agriculture.
Option D: The Chambal Valley region in Madhya Pradesh is affected by gully erosion. It is responsible for the formation of Chambal ravines. Ravines are regions formed by constant vertical erosion by flowing streams and rivers.

Hence, The correct answer is Option D.

Note: Gully erosion generally erodes agricultural land in arid and semiarid areas. It is the most important type of water erosion. The contribution of gully erosion to the total soil erosion from water erosion ranges from 10% to 94% worldwide. It leads to severe damage, causing urbanization, decreased income for villagers, damage to agricultural land, etc.