Question

Based on the statements given below, select the most suitable options:

Assertion (A): The expansion of railways was detrimental for the forests of India.
Reason (R): Timber was needed for making sleepers and the locomotives used wood as fuel.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true but R is not the explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false.
• D. A is false but R is true.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

The creation and expansion of railways led to deforestation in India. For the railway tracks to be laid down, forests had to be cleared. Timber was also needed for making sleepers and to fuel the locomotives. Each mile of railway track required about 1,760 to 2,000 sleepers.