Solution of Land Problems

To deal with the land problems, the country has adopted a two-fold approach; physical and social. Physical reclamation of land is achieved through chemical treatment of water-logged soils and is followed with scientific rotation of crops.

Similarly, land rendered useless by river action and river floods are also reclaimed after necessary treatment to restore their fertility and texture. Physical reclamation of desert lands calls for more sustained efforts. It requires introduction of suitable natural vegetation and canal or well irrigation or even both. It helps to raise water table.

Social approach, on the other hand, is reflected through state legislation aiming at overall rural reconstruction, promoting agriculture and its productivity in particular.

Consolidation of land holdings is one measure among many. It provides necessary motivation and empowerment of a tiller by confirming on him the rights of land tenure/ownership. Elements of social exploitation are promptly. removed e.g. absentee landlords. Thus legislation is used to ensure social justice.

Remote sensing data have shown that about 200 square kilometres of the Gulf of Kuchchh have been covered by sedimentation. The National Remote Sensing Agency has estimated 53 million hectares (16%) as wasteland in the country. Among the states, the highest incidence of wastelands is recorded in Jammu and Kashmir (60%) followed by Rajasthan (38%), Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh (37% each) and Gujarat (17%).

The Government of India constituted the National Wasteland Development Board in 1985 with a view to enhancing productivity of wastelands. It includes the programme of afforestation of 5 million hectares per year.

India does not have shortage of land. But, land reform policies need to be reoriented for further increase in food production.

Summary

• Land use is a dynamic process. It changes over time due to a number of factors including increasing population, changes in cropping system and technology. As various sectors of the economy develop, there may be a shift in the pattern of land use.
• The major land problems include land degradation due to soil erosion, water logging, salinisation, mining operations and urban encroachment on good quality agricultural land.
• India has adopted two ways to develop land: (a) physical (reclamation of land) and (b) social (land reforms)