Understanding Wastelands in India: Rajasthan Leads with the Largest Share
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition of Wastelands | Areas of land unsuitable for farming, construction, or other productive purposes due to poor soil quality, lack of water, or being covered with rocks or sand. |
| Indian State with Largest Wasteland Area | Rajasthan has the largest share of wastelands in India, with 25% of its total geographical area classified as wasteland. This constitutes 18% of the total wasteland area in the country (84,929 sq km). Main reasons: Thar Desert and dry climate. |
| Other States with High Wasteland Area | - Jammu and Kashmir: Snow-covered and rocky terrain.<br>- Madhya Pradesh: Deforestation and barren lands.<br>- Maharashtra: Degraded forests and unproductive lands. |
| Causes of Wastelands | - Natural Causes: Snow-covered areas, coastline saline lands, rocky hills, and desert regions.<br>- Human-Made Causes: Deforestation, overgrazing, over-cultivation, and unskilled irrigation methods. |