LAND RESOURCES-NEED LAND RESOURCES-NEED FOR LAND USE POLICYFOR LAND USE POLICY

Mridula SinghMridula Singh

Additional Director, StatAdditional Director, Statee Land Use board, Planning Department, Land Use board, Planning Department,

Govt. of U.P. Yojana Bhawan, Lucknow Govt. of U.P. Yojana Bhawan, Lucknow. .

IntroductionIntroduction

TToday the research focus is on oday the research focus is on the dynamics of land use. Land represents an the dynamics of land use. Land represents an important resource for the economic life of a important resource for the economic life of a majority of people in the world. The way people majority of people in the world. The way people handle and use land resource is decisive for their handle and use land resource is decisive for their social and economic well-being as well as for the social and economic well-being as well as for the sustained quality of land resources. Land use sustained quality of land resources. Land use however is not only a realm of those directly using however is not only a realm of those directly using it; it is exposed to a part of the wider reality of it; it is exposed to a part of the wider reality of social and economic development and change. social and economic development and change. Land use therefore is a highly dynamic process. Land use therefore is a highly dynamic process. This implies that policy discussion and development This implies that policy discussion and development planning need to be based on a sound planning need to be based on a sound understanding of these dynamics.understanding of these dynamics.

IIf, in the future, human requirements are to be met in f, in the future, human requirements are to be met in a sustainable manner, it is essential to resolve these conflicts now a sustainable manner, it is essential to resolve these conflicts now and move towards more effective and efficient use of land and and move towards more effective and efficient use of land and natural resources. Integrated physical land-use planning and natural resources. Integrated physical land-use planning and management are an eminently practical way to achieve this. By management are an eminently practical way to achieve this. By examining all uses of land in an integrated manner, it makes it examining all uses of land in an integrated manner, it makes it possible to minimize conflicts, to make the most efficient trade-offs possible to minimize conflicts, to make the most efficient trade-offs and to link social and economic development with environmental and to link social and economic development with environmental protection and enhancement, thus helping to achieve the objectives protection and enhancement, thus helping to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. The essence of the integrated approach of sustainable development. The essence of the integrated approach finds expression in the coordination of the sectoral planning and finds expression in the coordination of the sectoral planning and management activities concerned with the various aspects of land management activities concerned with the various aspects of land use and land resources. use and land resources. LLand resources are used for a variety of and resources are used for a variety of purposes which interact and may compete with one another, purposes which interact and may compete with one another, therefore, it is desirable to plan and manage all uses in an integrated therefore, it is desirable to plan and manage all uses in an integrated manner. Integration should take place at two levels, considering, on manner. Integration should take place at two levels, considering, on the one hand, all environmental, social and economic factors and on the one hand, all environmental, social and economic factors and on the other, all environmental and resource components together (i.e., the other, all environmental and resource components together (i.e., air, water, biota, land geological and natural resources). Integrated air, water, biota, land geological and natural resources). Integrated consideration facilitates appropriate choices and trade-offs, thus consideration facilitates appropriate choices and trade-offs, thus maximizing sustainable productivity and use.maximizing sustainable productivity and use.

Case for Land Use Policy

It is well established now that 80% of the world’s population lives in countries where agriculture and land are primary sources of learning and

livelihood. In these countries the rising trend of land degradation is a distinct feature. Deforestation, inadequate land use, unsuitable farming and grazing

practices, demographic pressure, lack of appropriate and improved technologies, poor markets and other legal institutional faults are the main

cause of this. And this is, indeed, a concern for all in terms of food security and sustainable development.

Conflict over land use is inevitable. The rise in population puts more pressure on arable land, grazing, forestry, wild life, tourism and urban development. It is estimated that the population dependent on land for food, fuel and employment will double within next 50 years. Most of the land available to meet current and future food requirements is already in production, any further expansion must necessarily involve fragile and marginal lands. This is particularly so in developing countries where population growth is high, poverty is endemic and existing institutional capacity for land management is weak. In spite of this knowledge the question is why land use planning is not a reality even now.

The World economy which is presently dictated by urbanization, industrialization and other development activities, is outstripping the land capability. As a result, serious concerns of land and environmental degradation and declining productivity growth rate have come into prominence the world over, in recent years. Approximately 5-7 million hectares of usable lands are lost every year through land degradation, and 2 billion ha of land are already degraded due to various causes. The relative influence of soil degradation is estimated at 39% in Asia, 25% in Africa, 12% in South America, 11% in Europe and 5% in Oceania. India plagued with high population and poverty, rank very high among the developing countries. Half a billion people in developing countries live in arid regions with no access to irrigation systems. Another 400 million are living on land with soils unsuitable for agriculture, 200 million in slope-dominated regions, and more than 130 million in fragile forest ecosystems. These areas covering an estimated 73 percent of Earth’s land surface face significant problems for agriculture investment and have limited ability to sustain growing populations. Sensitive to land use patterns, they are particularly vulnerable to degradation, erosion, floods, and landslides.

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to thee abundance of those, who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

One-quarter of the people in developing countries, 1.3 billion in all survive on fragile lands, area that present significant constraints for intensive agriculture and where the people’s links to the land are critical for the sustainability of communities, pastures, forest and other natural resources. The least productive area should have been abandoned first, as people migrate out to better opportunities. While some people have left, many remain behind and others are migrating in (the estimated population on fragile lands has doubled since 1950) Improving their livelihoods is essential for meeting many of the Millennium Development Goals for the coming decades.

People living on fragile lands are vulnerable but have a modest portfolio of assets that can help bring them out of poverty: the land, traditional social capital, human capital, and indigenous knowledge and know-how. However, the potential productivity of even these assets has not been fully developed by either local or national institution. Living in disperse settlement and working in the informal or subsistence economy, people on the rural periphery are largely invisible to decision makers. As a result, institutions have not been picking up social and environmental distress signals from the periphery-nor have these institutions been able to balance interests in setting their development agendas. For the past 50 years the governments and private sector have focused the bulk of their attention and agricultural spending on the development of lands with commercial potential even though much of the rural population remains on marginal land.

PPopulation pressure on arable land in Asia is considerable and opulation pressure on arable land in Asia is considerable and growing. Severe land degradation affects some 35 percent of productive growing. Severe land degradation affects some 35 percent of productive land. The result has been to put more population pressure on the Inner land. The result has been to put more population pressure on the Inner Asian dry lands. Most affected are Afghanistan, China, India, and Pakistan Asian dry lands. Most affected are Afghanistan, China, India, and Pakistan and Inner Asia’s high steppe, the largest remaining pastureland in the and Inner Asia’s high steppe, the largest remaining pastureland in the world, which includes Mongolia, northwestern China, and parts of Siberia. world, which includes Mongolia, northwestern China, and parts of Siberia. Over thousands of years, these grasslands have been home to nomadic Over thousands of years, these grasslands have been home to nomadic herders of horses, camels, goats, sheep, and cattle, practicing elaborate herders of horses, camels, goats, sheep, and cattle, practicing elaborate systems of seasonal pasture rotation across wide stretches of land in systems of seasonal pasture rotation across wide stretches of land in response to climate fluctuationresponse to climate fluctuation

TThen there is a larger issue which humanity is confronting today. hen there is a larger issue which humanity is confronting today. It is a self-generated environmental crisis. The patterns and ever It is a self-generated environmental crisis. The patterns and ever accelerating pace of economic development has been in conflict with the accelerating pace of economic development has been in conflict with the environment for quit some time now, and if this trend continues, the environment for quit some time now, and if this trend continues, the cumulative effects of population increase, resource depletion and cumulative effects of population increase, resource depletion and degradation of the environment will take a heavy toll. Statistics degradation of the environment will take a heavy toll. Statistics accumulated over the years show yearly deterioration in global resources. accumulated over the years show yearly deterioration in global resources. Our air, soil and water are getting polluted; there is ozone depletion in the Our air, soil and water are getting polluted; there is ozone depletion in the upper part of the atmosphere while accumulation in the lower part is upper part of the atmosphere while accumulation in the lower part is leading to global warming. Something must be done urgently and on a leading to global warming. Something must be done urgently and on a large enough scale to arrest this deterioration. There is need for an agreed large enough scale to arrest this deterioration. There is need for an agreed agenda of action promoting an all-encompassing concept of sustained agenda of action promoting an all-encompassing concept of sustained development in order to ensure that the needs of the present generation development in order to ensure that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of the future generations to are met without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. This implies a commitment not to damage or meet their own needs. This implies a commitment not to damage or destroy the basic life support system of our planet ‘Earth’, namely, the air, destroy the basic life support system of our planet ‘Earth’, namely, the air, water, the soil and the biological system. Development must be water, the soil and the biological system. Development must be economically sustainable to ensure a continuous flow of goods and economically sustainable to ensure a continuous flow of goods and services derived from the earth’s natural resources to all generation.services derived from the earth’s natural resources to all generation.

WWater is also one of the most critical of natural ater is also one of the most critical of natural resources. This precious gift of nature is the essence of resources. This precious gift of nature is the essence of the life and the cradle of life on our planet. Throughout the the life and the cradle of life on our planet. Throughout the wide spectrum of historical experience, we find that wide spectrum of historical experience, we find that civilization were born and flourished around water civilization were born and flourished around water sources. Water crises have precipitated social and political sources. Water crises have precipitated social and political turmoil throughout human history; and for good reason. turmoil throughout human history; and for good reason. Life cannot be sustained without water. Moreover it is a Life cannot be sustained without water. Moreover it is a crucial input for development.crucial input for development.

TThere is a growing water crisis today. One can here is a growing water crisis today. One can understand the scarcity of water where nature has understand the scarcity of water where nature has withheld its bounties, but there should be none as a result withheld its bounties, but there should be none as a result of mismanagement of the available. Water engineers and of mismanagement of the available. Water engineers and scientists are confronted with challenges of sustainable scientists are confronted with challenges of sustainable development and have the responsibility to meet these development and have the responsibility to meet these challenges both at the macro-level of overall demand and challenges both at the macro-level of overall demand and supply and at the micro-level by designing, operating and supply and at the micro-level by designing, operating and maintaining water resources and water projects in a maintaining water resources and water projects in a manner consistent with the objective of sustainability. manner consistent with the objective of sustainability.

Indian Perspective

India, with only 2.3% of world’s total land area is supporting 18% and 15% of world’s human and livestock population, respectively. The per capita arable land in the country is only 0.15 ha and it is expected to come down to 0.08 ha by 2025. The increasing pressure on the scarce soil resource and unscientific practices adopted for short-term gains to meet the mounting multiple demands has led to over exploitation and degradation of these resources. Long-term sustained productivity is being ignored for short term gains.

It is a paradoxical situation that on the one hand more production is required from the scarce soil resources for meeting the demand of ever expanding population, on the other hand vast areas are either going out of cultivation or showing alarming reduction in productivity due to land degradation at an alarming rate. Therefore, reclamation of the degraded lands and prevention of any further degradation of land, are among the serious national challenges.

As per the recent estimates of National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, out of a total of 146.5 million ha of degraded land, water erosion affects 103.9 million ha, wind erosion 13.1 million ha physical deterioration 12.23 million ha, chemical deterioration 10.3 million ha and deterioration due to other complex problems is 7.2 million ha.

OOn the other hand the water n the other hand the water resources in the country are unevenly resources in the country are unevenly distributed, spatially and temporarily. distributed, spatially and temporarily. Rainfall is erratic and most of the rain falls in Rainfall is erratic and most of the rain falls in four months of the monsoon season. The four months of the monsoon season. The problem is compounded by the problem is compounded by the unnecessary/inefficient use of water, both unnecessary/inefficient use of water, both surface and ground water. This has led to surface and ground water. This has led to water logging and soil salinity: the ground water logging and soil salinity: the ground water table has fallen in many areas and the water table has fallen in many areas and the numbers of dark blocks/areas have numbers of dark blocks/areas have increased. The challenge before us is how to increased. The challenge before us is how to conserve and relocate rainwater, so that four conserve and relocate rainwater, so that four months rainwater can be utilized for twelve months rainwater can be utilized for twelve month for multiple uses. Rainwater month for multiple uses. Rainwater harvesting is what will push agricultural harvesting is what will push agricultural productivity, create employment and hence productivity, create employment and hence eradicate poverty. eradicate poverty.

Need for a Land Use Policy - The State PerspectiveNeed for a Land Use Policy - The State PerspectiveSome Facts about U.PSome Facts about U.P

Geographical AreaGeographical Area 240.93 lakh ha.240.93 lakh ha. Degraded Area Degraded Area 120.44 lakh ha. (50%)120.44 lakh ha. (50%) Eroded landEroded land 73.53 lakh ha. (61.05%) 73.53 lakh ha. (61.05%) Special Problem Land Special Problem Land 46.91 lakh ha. (38.95%)46.91 lakh ha. (38.95%) Per capita availability of landPer capita availability of land

– 1950-511950-51 0.46 ha.0.46 ha.– 19911991 0.21 ha.0.21 ha.– 20012001 0.14 ha. 0.14 ha.

Per capita availability of arable landPer capita availability of arable land– 1950-511950-51 0.26 ha.0.26 ha.– 19911991 0.12 ha.0.12 ha.– 20012001 0.11 ha. 0.11 ha.

Per capita forest requirement Per capita forest requirement – National National 0.46 ha. 0.46 ha. – U.P.U.P. 0.04 ha. 0.04 ha.

Area under green fodder Area under green fodder National National 10% of total cropped area 10% of total cropped area

(IGFRI estimate)(IGFRI estimate)

U.PU.P 4% 4%

Main Objectives of Land Main Objectives of Land Use PolicyUse Policy

Resource use efficiency to meet the growing consumption needs.Resource use efficiency to meet the growing consumption needs.

To restore productivity of degraded landsTo restore productivity of degraded lands

Suitable institutional mechanism for scientific management, Suitable institutional mechanism for scientific management,

conservation & development of land resources.conservation & development of land resources.

Plan and resource linkages for land related programmePlan and resource linkages for land related programme

Expansion of effective forest cover to restore ecological balanceExpansion of effective forest cover to restore ecological balance

Conjunctive use of surface and ground water resources. Conjunctive use of surface and ground water resources.

Preservation of prime agricultural landPreservation of prime agricultural land

Translate policies through plan efforts into action.Translate policies through plan efforts into action.

Greater awareness through education, training, extension programmes Greater awareness through education, training, extension programmes

Issues for ConsiderationIssues for Consideration Achievement of desirable land use pattern through sectoral Achievement of desirable land use pattern through sectoral

approach/Plan linkagesapproach/Plan linkages

Formulation of economical viable projects for each sector i.e. Formulation of economical viable projects for each sector i.e. forests, agriculture, horticulture to translate land care into forests, agriculture, horticulture to translate land care into people’s movement.people’s movement.

Application of modern science & technology to enhance Application of modern science & technology to enhance productivity. productivity.

Preparation of Land Use Atlas.Preparation of Land Use Atlas. Generation of strong political/ administrative will.Generation of strong political/ administrative will.

Computerized and updated Land Records.Computerized and updated Land Records.

Strict laws/rules for land use conversion Strict laws/rules for land use conversion

Maintaining and improving soil fertility and unit area land productivity.Maintaining and improving soil fertility and unit area land productivity.

Surveys of land resources - climate, water, soils, landforms, forests, and Surveys of land resources - climate, water, soils, landforms, forests, and

rangelands to improve efficiency of investment.rangelands to improve efficiency of investment.

Need to generate systematic database on land utilization and land Need to generate systematic database on land utilization and land

management practices at national, state and local levels in the country.management practices at national, state and local levels in the country.

Training/orientation programmes for land use practitioners.Training/orientation programmes for land use practitioners.

Publicity of success stories in case of soil conservation & better land Publicity of success stories in case of soil conservation & better land

managementmanagement

Effective reclamation of degraded lands.Effective reclamation of degraded lands.

Measures to check further degradation of landMeasures to check further degradation of land

Effective watershed management and reduction in disparities and Effective watershed management and reduction in disparities and regional imbalances prevalent in the State through policy regional imbalances prevalent in the State through policy interventions. interventions.

Diversification of land useDiversification of land use

Awareness generation based on local needs/environmentAwareness generation based on local needs/environment

Preventive measures on adverse effects from industrial waste and Preventive measures on adverse effects from industrial waste and effluents on good forest and cultivable land. effluents on good forest and cultivable land.

Development of rural agro-based industriesDevelopment of rural agro-based industries

Treating water as an economic good and not as a free commodityTreating water as an economic good and not as a free commodity

The State Land Use Boards should be suitably strengthened with The State Land Use Boards should be suitably strengthened with statutory powers to integrate and monitor activities of Land User statutory powers to integrate and monitor activities of Land User Departments. Departments.