(b) Mining
In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, deforestation due to mining has caused severe land degradation.
Source: Resources and Development, Land Degradation and Conservation Measures
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The passage directly states: "In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation." Note: the answer is Mining (b), not "Mineral processing" (d) — mineral processing causes dust that retards water infiltration, which is a different mechanism. Over-grazing relates to Gujarat/Rajasthan, and over-irrigation to Punjab/Haryana. Always match the cause to the correct state group.