Land Use Pattern in India
- In India, the land use pattern is diversified and includes agricultural land, forest land, urban areas, water bodies, etc.
- The major land uses in India are agricultural land, forests, and other uses like urban areas, industries, etc.
- Around 54.74% of the total geographical area in India is used for agriculture, 21.54% for forests, and the rest for other purposes.

Reasons for the limited increase in forest land since 1960-61
1. Population Pressure: The rapid increase in population has led to the conversion of forest land into agricultural land to meet the food demand of the growing population.
2. Development Projects: Large-scale development projects like dams, roads, industries, etc., have also resulted in the clearing of forest land.
3. Illegal Encroachments: Illegal encroachments for agriculture, settlements, and other purposes have been a major reason for the decrease in forest cover.
4. Deforestation: Deforestation for timber, paper, fuelwood, etc., has significantly reduced the forest cover in India.
5. Forest Degradation: Poor forest management practices, forest fires, and unsustainable harvesting have led to the degradation of forest land.
Although there have been efforts to increase the forest cover in India through afforestation, conservation programs, and reforestation, the rate of increase has not been significant due to the above reasons. It is essential to address these challenges and promote sustainable land use practices to ensure the conservation and expansion of forests in India.