Land use pattern in India refers to the way in which different types of land are used for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, human settlements, transportation, industries, etc. The land use pattern in India is influenced by various natural, social, economic, and political factors.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the most dominant land use in India, as about 60% of the total land area is used for agricultural purposes. The agriculture land is divided into three categories, i.e., net sown area, forest area, and other uncultivated lands.

- Net Sown Area: It refers to the land that is used for cultivation of crops. About 45% of the total land area in India is net sown area.
- Forest Area: It refers to the land that is covered with forests. About 23% of the total land area in India is forest area.
- Other Uncultivated Lands: It refers to the land that is not suitable for cultivation or is kept fallow for some time. About 32% of the total land area in India is other uncultivated lands.

Forestry

Forestry is the second most important land use in India, as it covers about 23% of the total land area. The forest area is divided into four categories, i.e., reserved forests, protected forests, unclassified forests, and village forests.

- Reserved Forests: It refers to the forest land that is protected by the government for conservation of flora and fauna. About 53% of the total forest area in India is reserved forests.
- Protected Forests: It refers to the forest land that is protected by the government for commercial purposes such as timber, fuelwood, etc. About 30% of the total forest area in India is protected forests.
- Unclassified Forests: It refers to the forest land that is not classified as reserved or protected forests. About 16% of the total forest area in India is unclassified forests.
- Village Forests: It refers to the forest land that is owned and managed by the local communities for their own use. About 1% of the total forest area in India is village forests.

Mining

Mining is an important land use in India, as it provides raw materials for various industries. The major minerals that are mined in India include coal, iron ore, bauxite, manganese, copper, limestone, etc. The mining activities are concentrated in certain regions of the country such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, etc.

Human Settlements

Human settlements refer to the areas where people live and work. The human settlements in India can be classified into three categories, i.e., rural settlements, urban settlements, and tribal settlements.

- Rural Settlements: It refers to the areas where people live in villages and are engaged in agriculture and allied activities. About 70% of the total population in India lives in rural settlements.
- Urban Settlements: It refers to the areas where people live in cities and towns and are engaged in various non-agricultural activities. About 30% of the total population in India lives in urban settlements.
- Tribal Settlements: It refers to the areas where the indigenous people of India live. The tribal settlements are found in the hilly and forested areas of the country.

Transportation

Transportation refers to the infrastructure that is developed for the movement of goods and people. The major modes of