Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?

The use of land is determined both by physical factors such as topography, climate, soil types as well as human factors such as population density, technological capability and culture and traditions etc.

Following is the land use pattern of India according to data of ministry of Agriculture, 2017:

1. Net sown area — 45.5 %
2. Forest area — 23.3 %
3. Barren land — 5.5 %
4. Area under non-agricultural uses — 8.7 %
5. Current fallow — 4.9 %
6. Culturable waste land — 4.0 %
7. Permanent pastures — 3.3 %

The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another. It is over 80% of the total area in Punjab and Haryana and less than 10% in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman Nicobar Islands. Forest area in the country is far lower than the desired 33% of geographical area.

The land under forest has not considerably increased since 1960-61 because of deforestation, urban developments and land use for other enterprises.