Land-use Changes in India| Class 12 Geography Notes

India is a country of vast diversity and a growing economy. It faces a continuous evolution in the way its land is used. As the nation progresses, the land use patterns undergo major changes. These changes are influenced by various economic and demographic factors. In this article, you will get detailed notes on Land-use Changes in India from Chapter 3 of your Geography textbook.

India has seen major shifts in land use due to economic developments and population growth. Understanding these changes requires a grasp of how economic dynamics intertwine with land resources. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Land and Economy: The relationship between land use and economic activity is pivotal. As economies evolve, so does the demand for land.
• Fixed Resource: Unlike other resources, the area of land remains constant. This presents challenges as demands shift.

Several factors contribute to the changing landscape of land use in India:

• Economic Growth: With the economy expanding, pressure mounts on available land resources. Marginal lands, previously unused, are now being cultivated.
• Sectoral Shifts: There’s a noticeable transition from agriculture (primary sector) to industries and services (secondary and tertiary sectors). This shift is typical for developing countries like India.
• Agricultural Pressure: Despite a decline in agriculture’s contribution to GDP, the demand for agricultural land remains due to a slow decrease in the agriculture-dependent population and a growing need to feed more people.

Over the past four or five decades, the Indian economy has undergone significant changes, influencing land-use patterns in the country. Fig. 3.1 illustrates these changes between 1950–51 and 2014–15. It’s important to note two key points before interpreting this figure: Firstly, the percentages shown are relative to the reporting area. Secondly, since the reporting area has remained relatively constant over the years, a decline in one category typically corresponds to an increase in another.

Four categories have experienced increases, while four have seen declines. The increases include forest area, non-agricultural uses, current fallow lands, and net area sown. Here are some observations about these increases:

(i) The area under non-agricultural uses has shown the highest rate of increase, driven by changes in the Indian economy towards industrial and services sectors. Expansion of urban and rural settlements has also contributed to this increase, leading to the conversion of wastelands and agricultural land into non-agricultural uses.

(ii) The increase in forest area is primarily due to the expansion of demarcated forest areas rather than actual forest cover increase.

(iii) The increase in current fallow lands fluctuates over years due to rainfall variability and cropping cycles.

(iv) The recent increase in net area sown is attributed to the utilization of culturable wasteland for agricultural purposes, reversing a previous trend of slow decrease.

The four categories that have experienced declines include barren and wasteland, culturable wasteland, area under pastures and tree crops, and fallow lands. Here are some explanations for these declining trends:

(i) Increased pressure on land from both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors has led to declines in wastelands and culturable wastelands over time.

(ii) Encroachment and expansion of cultivation on common pasture lands have contributed to the decline in land under pastures and grazing lands.

Certain land categories have seen a reduction, reflecting broader pressures:

• Wasteland Reduction: Increased land demand has led to the conversion of wastelands to other uses.
• Pasture and Grazing Lands: These areas have diminished, often illegally encroached upon for agriculture, highlighting tensions between different land uses.

India’s land-use changes are a mirror to its economic and demographic transformations. The push and pull between agricultural needs and the growth of industries and services encapsulate the challenges of managing a finite resource in a developing nation. The balancing act between conserving natural resources like forests and pastures, and meeting the demands of urbanization and agriculture, is ongoing.

What causes land-use changes in India?

Economic growth, shifts from agriculture to industries and services, population increase, and advancements in technology are primary causes.

How does economic development affect land use in India?

Economic development increases demand for land, leading to its transition from agricultural to non-agricultural uses, reflecting the growing importance of the industrial and services sectors.

Why is agricultural land still under pressure in India despite the growth of other sectors?

The agriculture-dependent population decreases slowly, and the need to feed a growing population keeps the pressure on agricultural land high.

What is the trend in non-agricultural land use in India?

Non-agricultural land use is rapidly increasing, driven by industrial growth, urbanization, and the expansion of infrastructural facilities.

Has the forested area in India increased due to actual forest cover growth?

The increase in forested areas is mainly due to the legal designation of land as forested areas, rather than an actual increase in forest cover.

What factors influence the fluctuation of fallow lands in India?

Fallow land fluctuation is significantly influenced by rainfall variability and the timing of cropping cycles.

Why are wastelands and pasture lands declining in India?

Increased land demand has reduced wastelands, while pasture and grazing lands have declined due to illegal encroachment for agricultural expansion