Abstract

CHANGES IN LAND USE PATTERN AND ITS IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS

A R Kulkarni

Volume: 3 Issue: 1 2013

Abstract:

This paper tries to examine the changes in land use, its causes and the impact of changes in land use pattern on environment and livelihoods of the rural poor in Karnataka. It is found that there have been significant changes in the land use pattern over the period of 1960-61 to 2010-11 in Karnatka. The results show that area under forest has been increasingly but area under pastures and grazing land, cultivable waste and barren & uncultivable, which are used by the communities commonly, have been declining very rapidly. Apart from decline in area they have also been declining in quality as most of these areas are waste land. Many efforts have been made to optimum utilization of agricultural land and the forest. But the other categories land, (significant proportion of them has been used in common) especially grazing land which is very useful for the rural households, has been neglected by the policy makers and the implementing agencies. Significant proportions of these lands have been used in common since long for livelihoods activities by the rural households. Depletion of these resources has adversely impacted the life of these people. Therefore, policy makers and implementing agencies should to take necessary action to protect and develop these common resources for the benefit of common man in rural areas.

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