Economic Analysis of Temporal Changes in Land Use Pattern of Western Maharashtra

Land is a finite natural resource, the efficient management of which is vital for economic growth and development of the country. It is required for both agriculture and non-agricultural purposes. An analysis of structural changes in the land use pattern over a period of time provides the scope for planned and judicious management of land. In this connection, the present study on ‘An Economic analysis of temporal changes in land use pattern in Western Maharashtra’ was undertaken. For analysis the secondary sources and the necessary regional level time series data on area under land use categories were compiled from various issues of statistical abstract of Maharashtra and other publications of Government. The entire period of 1960-61 to 2019-20 was decomposed into three periods, viz; pre-liberalization, post-liberalization and overall period. A temporal change in land use pattern was estimated with the per cent change and compound growth rates. The temporal changes in land use dynamics of Western Maharashtra region revealed that, land put to non-agricultural uses, miscellaneous tree crops and groves, current fallow and fallows other than current fallow showed an increased trend while, area under forest, barren and uncultivable land, cultivable waste and net area sown registered a decline during Period-II. It is suggested that, during Period-II, the average proportion of forest land is 14.72 per cent, which is far less than the necessary percentage i.e., 33 per cent. Therefore, necessary steps may be taken by the state government in order to restore and maintain ecological balance. Land put to non-agricultural uses inclined throughout all the periods under study indicating an alarming situation. Majority of this conversion to land put to non-agricultural uses has taken place of agricultural land. Hence, the state government may prepare suitable policies controlling conversion of agricultural land, particularly.