Land use dynamics in Maharashtra: An economic analysis

Abstract

An analysis of the structural changes in land use patterns over time offers valuable insights for the planned and sustainable management of land resources. Understanding these changes is crucial for fostering balanced development, conserving natural resources, and ensuring long-term ecological and economic stability. In light of this, the present study aims to analyse spatio-temporal changes in land use categories. The study was undertaken using data from secondary sources on area under land use categories were compiled from various issues of Statistical Abstract of Maharashtra State and other publications of Government. On the basis of availability of data, economic analysis in terms of percentage, compound growth rate (CGR), instability index and location coefficient has been worked out. Results revealed that, the temporal changes in land use dynamics of Maharashtra state, land put to non-agricultural uses, land under miscellaneous tree crops and groves, current fallow and fallow other than current fallow land showed an increase while, permanent pastures and other grazing lands, cultivable waste land, net area sown, area under forest and barren and unculturable land registered a decline during post- liberalization period over pre-liberalization period. The growth rates and instability were found to be higher for fallow land categories (fallow other than current fallow and current fallow). In Maharashtra, the net area sown exhibited the highest concentration among all land use categories throughout the study periods. However, its concentration declined in the post-liberalization period compared to the pre-liberalization period.