1. Which one of the following is not a land use category?

Which one of the following is not a land use category?

Forestland
Pasture land
Marginal land
Barren and wasteland
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2020
The correct answer is Marginal land. While ‘marginal land’ describes land quality or potential, it is not typically listed as a fundamental, discrete category in standard land use classifications used for statistical purposes.
Standard land use classification categorizes land based on its cover and current use, such as forest, pasture, cultivated land, barren land, etc.
Forestland, Pasture land (Permanent pastures and other grazing lands), and Barren and wasteland (Barren and unculturable land) are commonly recognized and included as categories in land use statistics and surveys.

2. Which one of the following crops is not cultivated in Karewas, the lac

Which one of the following crops is not cultivated in Karewas, the lacustrine deposits of sand, clay, loam, silt and boulders?

Saffron
Almond
Walnut
Ling nut
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2018
The correct answer is D) Ling nut.
Karewas are elevated terraces or plateaus formed by lacustrine (lake) deposits in the Kashmir Valley. These fertile deposits are well-known for the cultivation of specific crops adapted to the region’s climate and soil. Saffron, almond, and walnut are traditionally and widely cultivated crops in the Karewa regions of Kashmir. Ling nut (also known as Water Chestnut, *Trapa natans*) is an aquatic or semi-aquatic plant cultivated in water bodies like lakes, ponds, or flooded fields, not on the terrestrial deposits of Karewas.
Karewas are economically important for Kashmir’s agriculture, particularly for horticulture and cash crops. Besides saffron, almonds, and walnuts, apple orchards are also prevalent in these areas. The unique soil composition and elevation of Karewas provide suitable conditions for these specific crops.