Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest no...
Land Use Pattern in India
India is a vast country with diverse land use patterns. The land use pattern in India can be broadly categorized into the following:
- Agriculture land
- Forest land
- Urban land
- Wasteland
Agriculture is the primary occupation of the majority of the Indian population, and hence, the largest portion of land is used for agriculture purposes.
Why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?
The forest area in India has not increased much since 1960-61, despite various afforestation programs and measures taken by the government. There are several reasons for this:
- Population growth: India's population has increased significantly since 1960-61, which has led to an increased demand for land for agriculture, urbanization, and other developmental projects.
- Deforestation: Deforestation is one of the primary reasons for the decrease in forest cover in India. The forest land has been cleared for various purposes like agriculture, mining, and industrialization.
- Encroachment: Encroachment of forest land by local communities, illegal logging, and poaching has further reduced the forest cover in India.
- Forest fires: Forest fires are another major reason for the decrease in forest cover in India. These fires are often caused by human activities like burning of agricultural waste and cigarettes.
Despite these challenges, the government of India has taken several measures to increase the forest cover in the country. The government has launched several afforestation programs like the National Afforestation Programme and the National Mission for Green India. These programs aim to increase the forest cover in the country by promoting afforestation, regeneration of degraded forests, and sustainable forest management.
In conclusion, the land use pattern in India is diverse, with agriculture being the primary occupation of the majority of the population. The forest cover in India has not increased much since 1960-61 due to various reasons like population growth, deforestation, encroachment, and forest fires. However, the government of India has taken several measures to increase the forest cover in the country, and it is essential to continue these efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the country.