Explain the utilization of land and various land use pattern in India.
Answers
Answer:
Land Use Classification
Out of India’s total geographical area of 328.7 million hectares, the statistical information about the land use pattern in India is available for only about 305.69 million hectares. It is based on village papers and on estimates. The land use has changed drastically since 1950-51.
Types of Land Use in India
The important types of land use in the country are :-
Forests area
Land not available for cultivation
Cultivable westeland
Fallow land
Net area sown
Forest area
1.During 1950-51 the area under forest was only 40.48 million hectares (14.2%) in India. But it has been increased to 80.20 million hectares (24.39%) in 2017-2018. According to National Forest Policy 1952, the reporting area of the forest must be 33.3% of the total land.
2.The land used for human settlements, transport routes, canals, quarries, the mountains, deserts, marshes etc. are coming under this category. It accounts 12.11% of total land in India. Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh states are having more area under this category.
3.Other uncultivated lands including fallow lands
This category includes permanent pasture and other grazing area, land under miscellaneous tree, crops, groves and cultivable waste. This category covers about 8.6 % of the country’s total reporting land. The permanent pasture and other grazing are is reported high in the states of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But it is less in Manipur, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Goa and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
4.Fallow lands
The land which is not utilized for cultivation for last 3 to 5 years is considered as fallow land. It may be cultivated. It accounts for about 8.13 % of the India’s total land.
5.Net area sown
India has a net sown area of 46.2% of the total reporting land in India. There has been a phenomenal increase in the net area sown during the last five decades.This increase is due to the reclamation of barren, uncultivable land pasture land etc.
Explanation: