If a tea plantation is established on a steep hillside, which technique would be most appropriate? A) Monoculture B) Bush burning C) Over cultivation

To determine the most appropriate technique for establishing a tea plantation on a steep hillside, we need to evaluate each option in the context of steep slopes, which are highly susceptible to soil erosion. A) Monoculture: This refers to growing a single crop species over a large area. While monoculture has environmental drawbacks such as reduced biodiversity and increased susceptibility to pests, it is a common practice in large-scale plantations, including tea. Monoculture itself does not directly cause soil erosion on steep slopes if proper soil conservation techniques (like terracing or contour farming) are also implemented. B) Bush burning: This technique involves clearing land by burning existing vegetation. Bush burning removes protective plant cover, destroys organic matter in the soil, and leaves the soil exposed. On steep hillsides, this practice leads to severe soil erosion, loss of fertility, and increased runoff. Therefore, it is highly inappropriate. C) Over cultivation: This refers to the intensive or excessive use of land, often without adequate rest or replenishment of nutrients. Over cultivation depletes soil structure and nutrients, making the soil loose and vulnerable to erosion, especially on steep slopes. This practice is detrimental to soil health and sustainability. Therefore, it is highly inappropriate. Comparing the three options, both bush burning and over cultivation are actively destructive practices that would severely degrade a steep hillside and are thus highly inappropriate. Monoculture, while a farming system rather than a specific erosion control technique, is a characteristic of many tea plantations. If combined with appropriate soil conservation measures, it is not inherently as damaging to a steep slope as the other two options. Therefore, among the given choices, monoculture is the most appropriate in a relative sense. The final answer is A) Monoculture.