The correct answer is (d) Agricultural development.
Agricultural development is the main cause of forest loss. This is because forests are often cleared to make way for agricultural land. In addition, agricultural practices such as deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable harvesting of forest products can also contribute to forest loss.
Road development, river valley projects, and industrial development can also contribute to forest loss, but they are not as significant as agricultural development.
Road development can lead to forest loss by fragmenting forests and making them more accessible to humans. This can lead to increased hunting, logging, and other activities that can damage or destroy forests.
River valley projects can also lead to forest loss by flooding forests or by changing the flow of water in rivers. This can damage or destroy forests and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Industrial development can also lead to forest loss by clearing forests to make way for factories or other industrial facilities. In addition, industrial activities such as mining and logging can also damage or destroy forests.
However, agricultural development is the main cause of forest loss. This is because forests are often cleared to make way for agricultural land. In addition, agricultural practices such as deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable harvesting of forest products can also contribute to forest loss.