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UPSC Prelims 2010 · Environment · Nature’s Machinery
The approximate representation of land use classification in India is
- (a) Net area sown 25%; forests 33%; other areas 42%
- (b) Net area sown 58%; forests 17%; other areas 25%
- (c) Net area sown 43%; forests 29%; other areas 28%
- (d) Net area sown 47%; forests 23%; other areas 30%
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) Net area sown 47%; forests 23%; other areas 30%
Net sown area ≈ 46–47%, recorded forest ≈ 22–23%, the rest in other uses.
The idea
India is one of the most heavily farmed large countries: nearly half its land is sown with crops. Forest, by the land records, is a little under a quarter. The well-known “33%” is the policy target, not the actual figure.
Net sown area: about 46–47% → Forest (recorded): about 22–23% → Everything else (barren land, pasture, fallow, buildings and roads): about 30%
Why the others are wrong
(a) 25% sown is far too low for India.
(b) 58% sown and 17% forest overstate farming.
(c) 29% forest is higher than the recorded share at the time.
The trap
33% is the policy TARGET for forest, not the actual figure.
Also know
Two forest figures are in use. Recorded forest area is land legally notified as forest in government records. Forest cover is what satellites actually see with trees on it. They do not match.
🔒 India: net sown ≈ 46%, forest ≈ 23% (recorded), target 33% (National Forest Policy 1988).