Question

explain land use pattern in india and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61​

Answer 1

About 45% of land is used as net sown area, i.e. for farming. About 22% of the land is under forest and the rest of the land is used for various purposes like housing, recreation and industrial activities. Increase population and subsequent increase in demand for resources is the main reason that forested land has not increased much during this period.

Answer 2

India has a total geographical area of 32.87 lakh sq. km. As per the land use data, only 93% is available to us. Of this 93%, 43.4% is sown area, 22.6% is forest cover,4.4% is culturable waste, 7.3% is current fallow, 4% is pasture cover and 1% is tree cover The net sown area pattern varies greatly from one state to another. The forest cover in the country is lower than the ideal 33% as outlined in the National Forest Policy formulated in the year 1952. The percentage of forests is needed to increase in order to maintain the ecological balance .

The forest cover did not increase since 1960-61 due to the following reasons: -

1. Improper use of land has caused degradation and loss of forests.

2. Ever increasing deforestation to meet the needs of the increasing population.

3. Large scale development projects, industrialization and urbanization have reduced the forest cover.