Question

Discuss the pattern of land utilisation in India.

Answer 1

The land use pattern in India reflects the country’s diverse physical, climatic, economic, and demographic conditions. Land in India is categorised and used for various purposes based on its suitability and human needs.

1. Net Sown Area: This is the land actually cultivated during the agricultural year. It forms about 45-48% of the total reporting area in India. It is higher in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where irrigation and fertile soil are abundant.
2. Forests: Forests cover around 21-24% of India’s total geographical area. They are mostly found in the Himalayan region, Western Ghats, and parts of central and northeastern India. Forest land is important for biodiversity, climate regulation, and tribal livelihoods.
3. Land Not Available for Cultivation: This includes:
   • Barren and uncultivable land (rocky, desert areas)
   • Land put to non-agricultural uses (such as buildings, roads, industries) Together, this accounts for about 14-15% of the land.
4. Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land: This category includes land used for grazing animals. It covers around 3-4% of the total land, mostly in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
5. Land under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves: This includes land not included under net sown area but used for growing trees and orchards. It is a minor category, covering about 1-2% of the total area.
6. Culturable Waste Land: This land is not currently in use for cultivation but can be brought under cultivation after improvement. It accounts for around 4-6% of the total land area.
7. Fallow Land: Fallow land is temporarily not in use for cultivation to regain soil fertility.
   • Current fallow: left uncultivated for one year.
   • Other fallow: left uncultivated for 2-5 years. Together, fallow lands cover about 7-8% of the land.