Major Land-Use Changes in India

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.

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.