SSC MTS 2 Aug 2019 Shift 3 Paper

In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. Deforestation 1.______ the permanent destruction of forests in order to 2.______ the land available for other uses. It 3.______ around the world, though tropical rain forests are particularly 4.____. If current deforestation levels 5.______ , the world's rain forests may completely vanish in as little as 100 years, according to National Geographic.
Question:
Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1.