Why was the livelihood of local people affected by deforestation?

Correct answer: Because their sources of fuel fodder and food decreased

The direct answer is A: their sources of fuel, fodder and food decreased. Livelihood means the way people obtain the necessities of life and earn or support themselves. Many forest communities depended on forests for firewood, animal fodder, fruits, roots, leaves, honey, bamboo and other materials. When forests were cleared or access was restricted, these resources became scarce, farther away or unavailable. People then had to spend more time collecting necessities, buy them, change occupations or face loss of income and food security. Option A is correct because it names the practical resources on which daily life depended. Option B, the sea drying up, is unrelated to forest clearing. Option C, all cities closing, did not happen and does not explain rural forest dependence. Option D, railways becoming gold, is meaningless and has no connection with household livelihood. The important chain is: forest loss or restricted access → fewer daily resources → greater work, expense and insecurity → affected livelihood. The impact could differ among communities, but the general historical effect was harmful. Memory cue: forest is not only timber; it is also people’s daily fuel, fodder and food.