Explain the land use pattern in India?
Ans.
(1) The net sown area in India has decreased from 45.26% to 43.41%. This means that more and more agricultural land is being shifted to other activities.
(2) The pattern of the net sown area varies gently from one state to another. In Punjab and Haryana the net sown area is 80% of the total area but Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is less than 10% of the total area.
(3) The area under forests has been increased from 18.11% in 1960-61 to 22.57% in 2000-2003 and to 23% in 2005-06 yet it is far below than the scientific norms.
(4) The land under permanent pastures is very low, i.e., only 3.45%.
(5) Area under fallow land has also decreased which shows, that subsistence agriculture is being replaced by commercial agriculture.