What is the simple meaning of deforestation?

Correct answer: Clearing or reducing forest area

The direct answer is A: deforestation means clearing forests or reducing the area covered by forests. Begin with the word itself: “de-” suggests removal or reduction, and “forest” means a region with many trees and other organisms. Thus, when trees are cut and the forest is converted into farms, roads, settlements, mines or other land uses, deforestation occurs. It is not limited to cutting one tree; the important idea is a decline in forest cover. Option A is correct because it directly describes clearing or reducing forest area. Option B is wrong because increasing rainfall is a possible environmental discussion, not the meaning of deforestation. Option C is wrong because a plan to save trees is conservation or afforestation, the opposite idea. Option D is wrong because counting wild animals is a survey activity, not removal of forests. A weak student can remember that deforestation is measured by loss of forest cover, not by the number of animals counted or the amount of rain. Memory cue: “forest down = deforestation.”