Towards a land use policy in India

The depletion of natural resources in the country is a matter of serious concern. We have, therefore, taken up the study of 'Natural Resources Management' as one of our important programmes. In addition to the work that is being done in collaboration with other institutions, RGICS is arranging lectures and discussions by eminent scientists on different aspects of natural resources. In keeping with this and in order to stimulate awareness on the important issue of land use in India, RGICS arranged a discussion meeting on the subject on October 4, 1993 by Prof. L.D.Swindale, an internationally known authority on land use, who has worked for many years in India. We are presenting the text of his speech as an occasional Paper- the seventh in our series.

Land use policy is long overdue in India. Despite many pronouncements and government directions and the formation of national and state-level boards, not much progress has been made in this matter. Prof. Swindale points out three important reasons for urgent action -- the need for increased food production to meet the demands of a growing population, the fact of over use of land and erosion of soils and the increasing urbanisation involving use of land for a variety of purposes.