Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): Unlike temperate forests, the tropical rain forests, if cleared, can yield productive farm‑land that can support intensive agriculture for several years even without chemical fertilizers.
2. Reason (R): The primary productivity of the tropical rain forest is very high when compared to that of the temperate forests.

Options:

1. Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The tropical rainforests, if cleared, can yield productive farmland: this statement is wrong. The tropical soils are heavily leached. Some fertility is added by burning down the felled trees. This little fertility is lost after 2-3 crops. Can support intensive agriculture for several years even without chemical fertilizers: this is also wrong. Intensive agriculture for several years is not possible without adding fertilizers. So (d) A is false but R is true is the answer.

Answer: (d) A is false but R is true