Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Geography

Chapter

India-People and Economy: Land resources and Agriculture

Question:

Which of the following land use category has witnessed the highest increase in India since independence?

Options:

area under forest

current fallow lands

the area under non-agricultural uses

net area sown

Correct Answer:

the area under non-agricultural uses

Explanation:

India has undergone major changes within the economy over the past four or five decades, and this has influenced the land-use changes in the country. These changes between 1950–51 and 2014–15 have been shown below. Four categories have undergone increases, while four have registered declines. Share of the area under forest, the area under non-agricultural uses, current fallow lands and net area sown have shown an increase. The rate of increase is the highest in the case of areas under non-agricultural use. This is due to the changing structure of the Indian economy, which is increasingly dependent on the contribution from industrial and services sectors and expansion of related infrastructural facilities. Also, an expansion of area under both urban and rural settlements has added to the increase. Thus, the area under non-agricultural uses is increasing at the expense of wastelands and agricultural land.