Land resource management and development in hill areas

Land resource forms the most important wealth of any region. Its potential, proper utilization and management; and role in development is a matter of utmost concern to its people. Improper use of land has created so many problems like land degradation, wastage, decline in productivity and encroachment on arable land in the world. Therefore, utilization and management of agriculture and other land resources, according to its capability and resource region, is very much necessary because it ensures that land resource is utilized to the best advantage in an enduring manner. This ultimately improves the levels of development. So, it is believed that land resource shows a reciprocal relationship between the prevailing ecological conditions and man in a particular region. There is a need to understand the land resource, particularly agriculture, keeping in view th maintenance of ecological balance and its role in development. Because all the hilly regions of the Himalayan system are facing the problems related to above mentioned aspects, Alaknanda basin of Uttaranchal from Central Himalaya has been selected for in-depth study. The present study is an attempt to find out the use and management of land resource, agricultural landuse pattern, impediments, land capability between agricultural land resource potential and levels of development in Alaknanda basin. The study is based on primary and secondary data. The book is endowed with academic orientation, scientific approach, management and planning views. It is highly helpful to geographer, Landuse Planners, Research Scholars, Environmentalists, Geo-Scientist and Progressive Farmers and People having interest in sustainable development of mountains.