Assertion (A): Use of jute bags for shopping reduces pollution.

Reason (R): Jute is biodegradable and its bag may be reused as and when needed.

The NCERT chapter states that substances broken down by biological processes are called biodegradable, and among environment-friendly practices, the chapter's exercises explicitly list 'carrying cloth-bags to put purchases in while shopping' (in place of plastic bags) as a way to reduce waste and pollution.

Assertion (A) is true: jute is a natural plant fibre, so jute bags — like the cloth bags the chapter refers to — are biodegradable, unlike plastic bags (a major non-biodegradable pollutant discussed in the chapter); using such bags in place of plastic bags reduces pollution.

Reason (R) is true: jute, being a natural fibre made from plant material, is biodegradable — consistent with the chapter's definition that substances broken down by biological processes (by decomposers) are biodegradable — and being sturdy, a jute bag can be reused multiple times, unlike single-use plastic bags. (Note: the chapter itself illustrates this practice with 'cloth bags' rather than naming jute specifically; jute is simply an example of a natural, biodegradable fibre used for such bags.)

R correctly explains A: it is precisely BECAUSE jute is biodegradable (does not persist/pollute the environment like plastic) AND reusable (reducing the demand for fresh disposable bags) that using jute bags reduces pollution. Both statements are true and R is the correct explanation of A, so option A is correct.