Land use patterns in India have undergone significant changes since the country gained independence in 1947. India is a large and diverse country, with a wide variety of land uses and land cover types. The land use pattern is an important indicator of the economic and ecological health of the country. In this article, we will discuss the land use pattern in India and why the land under forest has not increased much since 1960-61.
Land Use Pattern in India
India is a large country with a wide range of land uses and land cover types. The land use pattern in India is divided into five main categories: agriculture, forestry, urban, industrial and wasteland. Agriculture is the most dominant land use in India, with more than 40% of the total land area used for agricultural purposes. This land is used for growing crops and raising livestock. Forestry is the second most dominant land use in India, with about 20% of the total land being covered by forests. These forests provide a range of environmental services, from watershed protection to habitat for wildlife. Urban land use accounts for about 10% of the total land area in India, with most of this land being used for residential and commercial purposes. Industrial land use is also a significant land use in India, accounting for about 10% of the total land area. This land is used for mining and other industrial activities. Finally, wasteland accounts for about 20% of the total land area in India. This land is not used for any productive purpose and is often degraded and barren.
Forest Land Since 1960-61
The land under forest in India has not increased much since 1960-61. This is mainly due to the fact that the rate of deforestation has been higher than the rate of reforestation in India. Deforestation is a major problem in India and has resulted in the loss of valuable ecosystems and biodiversity. This has led to a decrease in the amount of land under forest cover, which has not been able to keep up with the rate of deforestation. In addition, the government has not taken adequate measures to promote reforestation and protect existing forests. This has further contributed to the low rate of forest cover in India.
In conclusion, land use patterns in India have undergone significant changes since the country gained independence in 1947. Agriculture is the most dominant land use in India, followed by forestry, urban, industrial and wasteland. However, the land under forest has not increased much since 1960-61 due to the high rate of deforestation and lack of government measures to promote reforestation. It is essential that the government takes steps
