Land Resources and Land Use Pattern Class 10 Notes provide a detailed exploration of how India’s vast and diverse land is utilized and managed. This topic builds upon the concepts introduced in Part 1: Resource and Development , helping students understand the crucial role of relief features, land utilization, and regional variations in India’s landscape. In this easy-to-follow guide, we cover all the essential points to help you revise effectively and score high in your Class 10 Geography exams.
Easy and Quick Revision Notes
Chapter – 1: Resource and Development
Part – 2
‘Conservation of Resources’
• Resources are vital for any developmental activity.
• Irrational consumption and overutilization of resources lead to socio-economic and environmental problems.
To overcome these problems:
• Resource conservation at various levels is important.
Gandhiji’s Views on Conservation:
• “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.”
• According to Gandhiji:
• Selfish individuals and the exploitative nature of technology were the root causes of resource depletion.
• He was against mass production.
• He wanted to replace mass production with the production by the masses.
Key Concepts and Reports
• Club of Rome – Advocated resource conservation for the first time in a systematic way in 1968 at the international level.
• Gandhian Philosophy – Highlighted in the book “Small is Beautiful” presented by Schumacher.
• Brundtland Commission Report 1987 – Introduced the concept of sustainable development. Advocated sustainable development as a means for resource conservation. Findings were published in the book entitled ‘Our Common Future’.
Land Resources
• Land – A natural resource.
• Supports natural vegetation.
• Supports wildlife.
• Supports human life and economic activities.
• Supports transportation and communication systems.
• Land is an asset of finite magnitude.
• Therefore, it is important to use the available land for various purposes with careful planning.
Land under Different Relief Features in India
• Mountains – 30%
• Plateaus – 27%
• Plains – 43%
• Islands
(4) Fallow lands
• (a) Current fallow – Left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year.
• (b) Other than current fallow – Left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years.
(5) Net Sown Area
• Area sown more than once in an agricultural year.
• Net sown area is known as gross cropped area.
Land Use Pattern in India
• Land use pattern is determined by the following factors:
• Topography – Variation in land surface features like mountains, plains, etc.
• Climate
• Soil type
• Availability of technology and other supporting resources like power, irrigation facilities.
Land Utilisation
• Land resources are used for the following purposes:
• Forest
• Land not available for cultivation
• Barren and wasteland
• Land put to non-agricultural uses (e.g. buildings, roads, factories, etc.)
• Other uncultivated land (excluding fallow land)
• Permanent pastures and grazing land
• Land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves
• Culturable waste land (left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years)
General Land Use Categories (1960–61 and 2014–15)
| Category | 1960–61 (%) | 2014–15 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 18.11 | 23.3 |
| Barren and uncultivable waste land | – | 5.5 |
| Area under non-agricultural use | 4.95 | 8.7 |
| Permanent pasture and grazing land | 4.71 | 3.3 |
| Area under miscellaneous tree crops and groves | 1.50 | 1 |
| Culturable waste land | 6.23 | 4.0 |
| Fallow other than current fallow | 3.50 | 3.6 |
| Current fallow | 3.73 | 4.9 |
| Net sown area | 46.26 | 45.5 |
• The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another.
• Punjab and Haryana – over 80% of total area.
• Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Andaman Nicobar Islands – less than 10% of total area.
• Desired forest area outlined in the National Forest Policy (1952) – 33% of geographical area.
• Actual area under forest in India (2014–15) – 23.3%.
For further in-depth insights and comparative analysis of governance and resource distribution, you may find it valuable to explore our comprehensive notes on Power Sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka – Class 10 . This resource will enrich your understanding and broaden your perspective.
Now, let’s move on to addressing some important FAQs about land resources and land use patterns in India.
Q.1 How much is the mountain share in the total land area?
Answer: The mountain share in India’s total land area is about 30%.
Q.2 How much is the Plains share in the total land area?
Answer: The Plains share in India’s total land area is about 43%.
Q.3 How much desired area is required for forest in our country?
Answer: According to the National Forest Policy, 33% of the total geographical area should be under forest cover.
Q.4 How much is the plateau share in the total land area?
Answer: The plateau share in India’s total land area is about 27%.
Q.5 Which element ensures the future of our generation?
Answer: Conservation of resources ensures the future of our generation
Q.6 The land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year is called……… .
Answer: The land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year is called current fallow land.
Q.7 Which relief feature of India has 30% of the total surface area of the country?
Answer: Mountains have 30% of the total surface area of India.
In conclusion, the topic of land resources and land use pattern offers valuable insights into how India’s diverse landscapes and natural resources are managed for sustainable growth and development. This understanding is essential not only for exam preparation but also for appreciating the importance of environmental stewardship. For a wider collection of comprehensive notes, updates, and resources tailored for CBSE Class 10 students, we invite you to explore our main platform: CBSE Notes Hub.