Land-use Categories in India
Land in India is utilized for diverse purposes, reflecting its role as a vital resource in human activities. The primary categories of land use include forests, barren lands, non-agricultural lands, and grazing areas, among others. The Survey of India oversees the measurement of geographical areas, while land use records are maintained by the Land Revenue Department.
Main Land-use Categories:
- Forests: Areas designated for forest growth, which may differ from actual forest cover. Government designations may increase without a rise in the actual forest area.
- Barren and Wastelands: Territories that are unsuitable for cultivation due to natural constraints such as terrain or climate.
- Non-agricultural Uses: Includes urban settlements, infrastructure, and industrial lands. Economic activities influence land utilization patterns over time.
- Permanent Pastures and Grazing Lands: Primarily village or government-owned lands for livestock grazing.
- Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves: Areas with orchards not included in net sown area.
- Culturable Wasteland: Land left uncultivated for over five years, requiring reclamation efforts to be farmable again.
- Current Fallow: Cultivated land that is left unused for one year or less to recover fertility.
- Fallow Other than Current Fallow: Cultivated land unused for one to five years.
- Net Area Sown: The actual land used for crop production, indicative of agricultural productivity.
Changes in these categories from 1950 to 2014 highlight a significant shift towards urbanization and non-agricultural uses, often at the cost of agricultural lands. This discussion encapsulates the complex interplay between land use, economic activity, and environmental conservation.