Land Use Classification and Planning

Land is a physical entity in terms of its topography and spatial nature thus including natural resources like the soil, minerals, water and biota existing on it . These components provide a variety of services essential to the maintenance of life-support systems and the productive capacity of the environment.

Till the period of 1949-50, the land area in India was classified into 5 categories also known as the 5-fold land utilization classification. These categories were:

 

 

 

This 5-fold classification was however, a very broad outline of land use in the country and was not adequate enough to meet the needs of agricultural planning in the country. The states were also finding it difficult to present comparable data according to this classification due to the lack of uniformity in the definitions and scope of classification covered by these 5 broad categories.

To remove non-compatibility and to break-up the broad categories into smaller constituents for better comprehension, the Technical Committee on Coordination of Agricultural Statistics, set up in 1948 by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, recommended a 9-fold land use classification replacing the old 5-fold classification, and also recommended standard concepts and definitions for all the states to follow land use nine-fold classification so as to reveal vegetation status

Land use planning

Land use planning referred to as the systematic assessment of land and water potentials alternatives for land use and social and economic conditions in so as to select and adopt the best land use options possible. Its purpose is, therefore, to select and put into practice those land uses that will best meet the needs of the people while safeguarding resources for the future.

Land use planning aims to make the best use of limited resources by following means:

• Assessing present and future needs and systematically evaluating the land's ability to supply them

• Identifying and resolving conflicts between competing uses, between the needs of individuals and those of the community, and between the needs of the present generation and those of future generations

• Seeking sustainable options and choosing those that best meet identified needs

• Planning to bring about desired changes

 

Principles of land use planning

1. Efficiency
2. Equity and acceptability
3. Sustainability

Levels of planning

1. State level

It is concerned with national goals and the allocation of resources. A national land-use plan may concerns with land-use policy, development plans and budget preparation, coordination of sectoral agencies and legislation on such subjects as land tenure, forest clearance and water rights.

2. District level

District level refers not necessarily to administrative districts but also to land areas that fall between state and local levels. Development projects are often at this level. It concerns with settlements, forest plantations, irrigation schemes, water supply, roads, marketing facilities and development of management guidelines for improved kinds of land use.

3. Local level

The local planning unit may be the village, a group of villages or a small water catchment. At this level, it is easiest to fit the plan to the people, making use of local people's knowledge and contributors. Local level planning is all about getting things done, on particular areas of land.

Steps in land use planning

1) Establishment of goals
2) Organization of work
3) Analyzing the problems in existing land use
4) Identification of alternate opportunities
5) Evaluation of land suitability
6) Appraise the alternatives uses
7) Choice of best option
8) Land use plan preparation
9) Implementation and monitoring of plan