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Land Use Categories

Land is a vital natural resource that supports various human activities such as agriculture, habitation, industry, and recreation. The land around us is utilized in different ways depending on its suitability and human needs. The classification of land use helps in understanding how land is distributed for various purposes and is maintained by the land revenue department. It is important to distinguish between 'reporting area' which is based on land revenue records and 'geographical area' which is measured by the Survey of India. The reporting area may vary due to administrative changes or land use changes, whereas the geographical area remains fixed. The land-use categories as per land revenue records include: (i) Forests: This category refers to land demarcated by the government for forest growth. It is crucial to note that the area classified as forest may not always correspond to the actual forest cover, as the latter refers to the area under actual tree cover. The forest category in land records is based on government notifications and demarcations. (ii) Barren and Wastelands: These lands include barren hilly terrains, deserts, ravines, and other lands that are generally unsuitable for cultivation with current technology. (iii) Land put to Non-agricultural Uses: This includes land occupied by settlements (both rural and urban), infrastructure such as roads and canals, industries, shops, and other non-agricultural activities. Growth in secondary and tertiary sectors leads to an increase in this category. (iv) Area under Permanent Pastures and Grazing Lands: Mostly owned by village panchayats or government, these lands serve as grazing grounds for livestock. A small portion may be privately owned. Panchayat-owned lands are considered Common Property Resources (CPRs). (v) Area under Miscellaneous Tree Crops and Groves: This includes orchards and fruit tree plantations, mostly privately owned and not included in net sown area. (vi) Culturable Wasteland: Land left fallow or uncultivated for more than five years but can be reclaimed for cultivation through reclamation practices. (vii) Current Fallow: Land left uncultivated for one agricultural year or less, a cultural practice to restore soil fertility naturally. (viii) Fallow other than Current Fallow: Cultivable land left uncultivated for more than one year but less than five years. (ix) Net Area Sown: The actual physical area on which crops are sown and harvested during an agricultural year. Understanding these categories is essential for planning and managing land resources effectively.

• Land use records are maintained by the land revenue department and differ from fixed geographical area measured by Survey of India.
• Forests category includes government-demarcated forest land, not necessarily actual forest cover.
• Barren and wastelands are lands unsuitable for cultivation with current technology.
• Non-agricultural land includes settlements, infrastructure, industries, and shops.
• Permanent pastures and grazing lands are mostly community-owned and classified as Common Property Resources.
• Culturable wasteland and fallow lands represent cultivable land left uncultivated for varying periods.
• 📌 Reporting Area: Land area recorded in land revenue records, subject to change based on administrative updates.
• 📌 Geographical Area: Fixed land area measured by the Survey of India.
• 📌 Net Area Sown: Land area on which crops are sown and harvested in an agricultural year.

Land-use Changes in India

Land use in India has undergone significant changes over time, influenced by economic growth, population increase, technological advancement, and changing economic activities. Although land is a fixed natural resource in terms of area, its use changes dynamically with economic development. Three main types of changes affect land use: (i) Growth in the size of the economy: As population and income levels rise, and technology advances, the demand for land increases. Marginal lands previously unused may come under cultivation or other uses. (ii) Change in economic composition: The secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors typically grow faster than the primary (agriculture) sector in developing countries like India. This leads to a shift of land from agricultural to non-agricultural uses, especially near urban areas where agricultural land is converted for building and infrastructure. (iii) Continued pressure on agricultural land: Despite a decline in agriculture's share in GDP, the pressure on agricultural land remains due to: (a) Slow decline in the population dependent on agriculture compared to the sector's GDP share decline. (b) Increasing population that agriculture must feed. The chapter presents data comparing land use between 1950-51 and 2019-20, showing: - Increase in forest area (due to demarcation, not necessarily actual forest cover), non-agricultural uses (due to urbanization and infrastructure), permanent pastures and grazing lands, current fallow lands, and net area sown (recently due to reclamation of culturable waste land). - Decline in barren and wastelands, culturable wasteland, area under tree crops and groves, and fallow other than current fallow lands. The increase in non-agricultural land is the most significant, reflecting India's economic transformation. The decline in wastelands and culturable wastelands is due to increased land pressure for agriculture and other uses. The decline in tree crops and groves is attributed to agricultural land pressure. Understanding these changes helps in planning sustainable land use and addressing challenges related to urbanization, agriculture, and environmental conservation.

• Land use changes are driven by economic growth, population increase, and changing economic activities.
• Non-agricultural land use has increased significantly due to urbanization and infrastructure expansion.
• Forest area increase reflects government demarcation rather than actual forest cover increase.
• Decline in wastelands and culturable wastelands due to increased land use pressure.
• Net sown area has increased recently due to reclamation of culturable waste land.
• Agricultural land is under continued pressure despite a decline in agriculture's GDP share.
• 📌 Economic Composition: The relative contribution of primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors to the economy.
• 📌 Non-agricultural Uses: Land used for settlements, infrastructure, and industries.
• 📌 Culturable Wasteland: Land left uncultivated for more than five years but can be reclaimed.