Question :

 

Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61? Answer in 120 words.

 

Answer :

 

In India, the land use pattern is characterized by a diverse range of activities, including agriculture, forestry, mining, and urban development. According to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the total land area of India is about 328 million hectares, of which about 54% is used for agriculture, 22% is covered by forests, and the remaining 24% is used for other purposes.

 

One reason why the land under forests has not increased much since 1960-61 is because of the increasing demand for land for other purposes, such as agriculture, urbanization, and industrial development. In addition, the expansion of forests has been limited by factors such as land degradation, deforestation, and illegal logging. Efforts to increase the forest cover in India have included afforestation and reforestation programs, as well as conservation initiatives to protect existing forests.