Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Gully erosion occurs when water is channeled across unprotected land and washes away the soil along the drainage lines
Reason (R) : Devoid of vegetation, inappropriate land use, and compaction of the soil caused by grazing cause gully erosion
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A).
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct.

Hint:

Vegetative cover acts as a natural shield against water erosion.
Removing vegetation and compacting the soil (R) directly leads to increased surface runoff, which channels water and causes gully erosion (A).
This makes (R) the direct cause-and-effect explanation of (A).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Water erosion is a multi-stage soil degradation process that progresses from splash erosion to sheet, rill, and finally gully erosion, driven by concentrated surface runoff.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Assertion (A): "Gully erosion occurs when water is channeled across unprotected land and washes away the soil along the drainage lines."
This is correct.
When surface runoff accumulates and flows down slopes, it concentrates into channels.
On unprotected bare land, the high velocity of this channeled water cuts deep, steep-sided channels (gullies) along drainage lines, carrying away substantial quantities of soil.
- Reason (R): "Devoid of vegetation, inappropriate land use, and compaction of the soil caused by grazing cause gully erosion."
This is also correct.
The lack of vegetative cover, overgrazing (which compacts the soil and reduces infiltration), and inappropriate tillage increase the volume and velocity of surface runoff.
This excessive runoff accelerates the transition from rills to gullies.
Since these factors increase surface runoff and channel water across bare soil, the Reason (R) directly and correctly explains the physical causes of the gully erosion described in Assertion (A).
Therefore, both statements are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).