Question

What is culturable waste?

Answer 1

Culturable waste is land that is available for cultivation but is not being used for agricultural purposes for one reason or another.

According to the Wasteland Survey and Reclamation Committee, this includes land that was used for cultivation in the past but has been abandoned due to factors such as lack of water, salinity or alkalinity of the soil, soil erosion, waterlogging, unfavourable physiographic conditions, or human neglect.

Examples include reh, bhur, usar, and khola tracts in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. While this land can potentially be reclaimed and brought under cultivation, in some cases it is better suited for afforestation to maintain ecological balance.