Unless the forces and tendencies which are responsible for destroying the country’s environment and checked in the near futures and afforestation of denuded areas is taken up on a massive scale, the harshness of the climatic conditions and soil erosion by wind and water will increase to such as extent that agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people, will gradually become impossible. The desert countries of the world and our own desert areas in Rajasthan are a grim reminder of the consequences of large-scale deforestation. Pockets of desert-like landscape are now appearing in other parts of the country including the Sutlej-Ganga Plains and the Deccan Plateau. Where only a few decades back there used to be lush green forests with perennial streams and springs, there is only brown earth, bare of vegetation, without any water in the streams and springs except in the rainy season.

According to the passage given above, deforestation and denudation will ultimately lead to which of the following?
1. Depletion of soil resource
2. Shortage of land for the common man
3. Lack of water for cultivation 

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct answer is 1 and 3 only (i.e., Depletion of soil resource and Lack of water for cultivation).

Let us analyze the passage step-by-step to understand why this option is correct:
1. Depletion of soil resource (Statement 1): The passage explicitly mentions that if environmental destruction and deforestation are not checked, "...soil erosion by wind and water will increase to such an extent that agriculture... will gradually become impossible." Soil erosion directly refers to the depletion and degradation of the soil resource. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.
2. Shortage of land for the common man (Statement 2): Although the passage warns that agriculture will become impossible and deserts are expanding, it does not mention or imply a shortage of land specifically for the "common man." Therefore, Statement 2 is unsupported by the passage.
3. Lack of water for cultivation (Statement 3): The passage states that in areas affected by deforestation and denudation, where lush green forests with perennial streams and springs once existed, there is now "only brown earth, bare of vegetation, without any water in the streams and springs except in the rainy season." This seasonal absence of water in streams and springs directly indicates a lack of reliable water for cultivation. Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, deforestation and denudation will ultimately lead to depletion of soil resources and lack of water for cultivation, making 1 and 3 only the correct choice.