Which is not a correct cause while understanding deforestation?

Correct answer: Increasing forests only for worship

The direct answer is D: increasing forests only for worship is not a correct cause of deforestation. Deforestation means a reduction of forest cover, usually because trees are cut or land is converted. During colonial rule, railways required large quantities of wooden sleepers, tea plantations needed cleared land, and ships required strong timber. These economic and transport demands caused extensive cutting. Option A is correct because railway expansion consumed timber. Option B is correct because plantations replaced natural forests in many areas. Option C is correct because shipbuilding required wood. Option D is the odd and incorrect statement: increasing forests for worship would not explain why forests were cut. A useful exam method is to identify the three practical economic causes and reject the unrelated religious statement.