Land Resources

Introduction to Land Resources

1. Definition: Land is a fundamental natural resource that supports life, sustains economic activities, and provides a base for human settlements and ecosystems.
2. Land is used for multiple purposes, including agriculture, forestry, mining, industries, and infrastructure development.
3. India has a total land area of 3.28 million sq. km, making it the seventh-largest country in the world.
4. Due to population pressure and economic growth, land is under stress, leading to deforestation, soil erosion, and degradation.
5. The Land Use Policy of India emphasizes sustainable land management to balance development and conservation.
6. Geographical factors, such as climate, soil type, and topography, influence land use patterns.
7. Economic factors, like industrialization and urbanization, determine land use changes.
8. Government policies such as the National Land Records Modernization Program (NLRMP) aim to regulate land use effectively.
9. Land tenure and ownership laws vary across states, affecting land distribution and productivity.
10. Proper land management is crucial for food security, environmental sustainability, and economic stability.

Land Use Categories in India

1. Land is classified into various categories based on its utilization, as per the Land Use Statistics of India.
2. The major land use categories include Net Sown Area (NSA), forest land, barren land, pastures, and non-agricultural land.
3. Net Sown Area (NSA): Land cultivated at least once a year. Higher in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
4. Forest Area: Land designated for forest cover; as per the National Forest Policy (1988), it should be at least 33% of total land.
5. Land Not Available for Cultivation: Includes barren and uncultivable land, such as deserts and rocky terrain.
6. Other Uncultivated Land: Includes pastures and grazing lands, vital for livestock rearing in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
7. Fallow Land: Land left uncultivated to restore soil fertility; divided into current fallow (left uncultivated for a year) and long-term fallow (left uncultivated for more than 5 years).
8. Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land: Supports livestock, primarily found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
9. Culturable Waste Land: Land that can be cultivated but remains unused due to soil degradation or water scarcity.
10. Land use varies across states due to climate, soil fertility, and irrigation availability.

Agricultural Land Use in India

1. Agriculture is the primary land use in India, with more than 50% of land area used for farming.
2. The Net Sown Area (NSA) differs across regions, with Punjab and Haryana having high NSA due to fertile soils.
3. Cropping Intensity is high in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, where land is cultivated multiple times a year.
4. Irrigation facilities play a crucial role in land productivity, with Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh having extensive canal irrigation.
5. Soil fertility depletion due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is a major issue.
6. Deforestation for agriculture has led to environmental concerns such as soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.
7. Land fragmentation reduces agricultural productivity, especially in states like Bihar and West Bengal.
8. Government schemes like PM-KISAN and Soil Health Card help improve land productivity.
9. Organic farming and agroforestry are being promoted to ensure sustainable land use.
10. Land reforms such as land ceiling and tenancy rights have aimed to improve equitable distribution.

Land Degradation and Desertification

1. Definition: Land degradation is the decline in land productivity due to soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, and industrialization.
2. About 30% of India’s land is affected by degradation, impacting agriculture and livelihoods.
3. Major causes include:
   • Deforestation (logging, forest fires).
   • Overuse of chemical fertilizers leading to soil infertility.
   • Overgrazing reduces soil cover and increases erosion.
4. States affected the most: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
5. Desertification: Process where fertile land turns into a desert due to climate change and human activities.
6. Thar Desert Expansion: Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana are experiencing desertification.
7. Impact on agriculture: Declining crop yields, food insecurity, and loss of biodiversity.
8. Government initiatives: Desert Development Programme (DDP), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).
9. Afforestation and soil conservation are key solutions to combat degradation.
10. Sustainable land management is crucial for maintaining productivity and ecological balance.

Land Conservation Measures in India

1. Soil conservation is essential to prevent erosion, maintain fertility, and ensure food security.
2. Afforestation and Reforestation programs help restore degraded lands.
3. Contour Ploughing and Terracing are used in hilly areas to reduce soil erosion.
4. Integrated Watershed Management ensures proper water distribution and soil moisture conservation.
5. Crop Rotation and Organic Farming maintain soil fertility and prevent excessive nutrient depletion.
6. The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) encourages tree planting in degraded areas.
7. Rainwater Harvesting prevents water runoff and improves soil moisture levels.
8. Agroforestry: Growing trees alongside crops to enhance soil health and reduce erosion.
9. Use of Biofertilizers and Vermicomposting reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers.
10. Government Policies: The National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NAPCD) focuses on restoring degraded lands and preventing desertification.

Conclusion

1. Land is a finite and valuable resource that must be used sustainably.
2. Agricultural expansion, deforestation, and industrialization have put immense pressure on land.
3. Land degradation and soil erosion threaten food security and environmental stability.
4. Sustainable land management practices such as afforestation, soil conservation, and organic farming are crucial.
5. Land use planning and reforms can help improve equitable land distribution and productivity.
6. Government programs like PM-KISAN, Soil Health Mission, and NAPCD are vital for land conservation.
7. Technological innovations in irrigation, crop management, and satellite monitoring can help optimize land use.
8. Community participation in afforestation and soil conservation ensures better implementation.
9. Urban expansion and industrialization must be managed to prevent excessive land degradation.
10. Long-term sustainability of land resources is necessary for economic growth and environmental protection.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Consider the following statements regarding land resources in India:

1. India has a total land area of 3.28 million sq. km.
2. Land use patterns in India are influenced by geographical and economic factors.
3. The Land Use Policy of India discourages sustainable land management to promote rapid industrialization.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The Land Use Policy of India emphasizes sustainable land management, not discourages it. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

2. Which of the following land use categories in India includes land that is cultivated at least once a year?
(a) Fallow Land
(b) Net Sown Area
(c) Culturable Waste Land
(d) Permanent Pastures and Grazing Land

Answer: (b) Net Sown Area
Explanation: Net Sown Area (NSA) refers to land that is cultivated at least once a year. Fallow land is left uncultivated for restoring fertility, while culturable waste land is unused due to soil degradation or water scarcity.

3. Consider the following statements regarding agricultural land use in India:

1. More than 50% of India’s total land area is used for agriculture.
2. Cropping intensity is highest in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
3. Land fragmentation has led to increased agricultural productivity in states like Bihar and West Bengal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Land fragmentation reduces agricultural productivity as it leads to inefficient land use. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

4. Which of the following is NOT a cause of land degradation in India?
(a) Overuse of chemical fertilizers
(b) Contour ploughing
(c) Overgrazing
(d) Deforestation

Answer: (b) Contour ploughing
Explanation: Contour ploughing is a soil conservation method used to reduce erosion, while the other options contribute to land degradation.

5. With reference to desertification in India, consider the following statements:

1. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana are among the states experiencing desertification.
2. Overgrazing and deforestation are major contributors to desertification.
3. The Thar Desert is shrinking due to government conservation programs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 , 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: The Thar Desert is expanding, not shrinking, due to land degradation and desertification. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

6. The term “culturable waste land” refers to:
(a) Land that cannot be cultivated due to rocky terrain
(b) Land that is used for pastures and grazing
(c) Land that can be cultivated but remains unused due to soil degradation or water scarcity
(d) Land permanently used for human settlements

Answer: (c) Land that can be cultivated but remains unused due to soil degradation or water scarcity
Explanation: Culturable waste land includes land that can be cultivated but is left unused due to poor soil quality, water shortages, or other factors.

7. Which of the following government initiatives aim to combat desertification and land degradation in India?

1. Desert Development Programme (DDP)
2. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)
3. National Land Records Modernization Program (NLRMP)

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: DDP and IWMP focus on land conservation, while NLRMP deals with land records modernization, not directly with degradation.

8. Consider the following conservation measures:

1. Agroforestry
2. Rainwater harvesting
3. Chemical pesticide application
4. Contour ploughing

Which of the above are sustainable land conservation measures?
(a) 1, 2, and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2, and 4 only
Explanation: Chemical pesticide application contributes to soil degradation, while the other options help in soil and water conservation.

9. The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) in India aims at:
(a) Promoting commercial logging for economic growth
(b) Encouraging large-scale urbanization
(c) Increasing forest cover in degraded areas
(d) Expanding mining activities in forested regions

Answer: (c) Increasing forest cover in degraded areas
Explanation: The NAP focuses on afforestation and reforestation to restore degraded land and improve biodiversity.

10. What is the primary objective of the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (NAPCD)?
(a) Promote extensive irrigation infrastructure in arid regions
(b) Restore degraded lands and prevent desertification
(c) Convert forest land into agricultural land for food security
(d) Expand industrial development in dryland areas

Answer: (b) Restore degraded lands and prevent desertification
Explanation: NAPCD aims to combat land degradation and desertification through afforestation, soil conservation, and sustainable land management.