India is a large country with varied topography, climatic conditions, and land use patterns. With a population of over 1.3 billion, India has the second-highest population in the world. This has resulted in a significant pressure on the land resources of the country. In this article, we will discuss the land use pattern in India and why forest land has not increased much since 1960-61.
Land Use Pattern in India
The land use pattern in India has changed significantly over the years. According to the India State of Forest Report 2019, the total forest cover of India is estimated to be around 24.56 percent of the total geographical area. The total geographical area of India is 328.7 million hectares. Out of this, the total forest cover is estimated to be around 80.73 million hectares.
The land use pattern in India is mainly divided into five categories: cultivated land, fallow land, forests, pastures, and other land. The cultivated land includes the area used for crops, horticulture, and plantation crops. The fallow land includes the area which is left uncultivated due to various reasons. Forests include the area covered by natural forests, mangroves, and scrub forests. Pastures include the area used for grazing of animals. Other land includes the area used for urban development, mining, and industrial activities.
Why Has Forest Land Not Increased Much Since 1960-61?
There are several reasons why forest land has not increased significantly since 1960-61. One of the major reasons is the increasing population of India. The population of India has been steadily increasing over the years, resulting in a significant pressure on the land resources of the country. The increasing population has resulted in a decrease in the area available for forest cover.
Another reason is the increase in the demand for land for industrial and urban development. The industrial and urban development has resulted in a decrease in the area available for forests. Additionally, there has been an increase in the demand for timber for various purposes, resulting in a decrease in the area available for forests.
Finally, the increasing demand for agricultural land has resulted in a decrease in the area available for forest cover. The agricultural land is being used for various purposes such as crop cultivation, horticulture, and plantation crops.
To conclude, the land use pattern in India has changed significantly over the years. The increasing population of India, increasing demand for industrial and urban development, and increasing demand for agricultural land have resulted in a decrease in the area available for
