The correct answer is: b) Declining water table.
Punjab is a state in India that is known for its production of rice. However, the water-intensive cultivation of rice has raised concerns about its sustainability in the state. The main reason for this is the declining water table. The water table is the level at which groundwater is found. It is declining in Punjab due to a number of factors, including over-extraction of groundwater, climate change, and deforestation.
The declining water table has a number of negative consequences. It can lead to water shortages, which can impact agriculture, industry, and domestic water supply. It can also lead to soil salinization, which is the accumulation of salt in the soil. This can make the soil infertile and difficult to cultivate.
The declining water table is a serious problem in Punjab. It is important to take steps to address this problem, such as reducing groundwater extraction, investing in rainwater harvesting, and planting trees.
The other options are also possible reasons for the decline in rice cultivation in Punjab, but they are not as significant as the declining water table.
- Soil salinization is the accumulation of salt in the soil. This can make the soil infertile and difficult to cultivate. However, soil salinization is not as widespread in Punjab as the declining water table.
- Pest outbreaks can also damage rice crops. However, pest outbreaks are not as common in Punjab as they are in other parts of India.
- Market fluctuations can also affect the price of rice. However, market fluctuations are not as significant a factor in the decline of rice cultivation in Punjab as the declining water table.