Hint: It is the largest state in India and the Tropic of Cancer passes through the southernmost tip of the state. It was formed on 30th March 1949 and is currently the second-largest state economy in our country. The literal meaning of the name of the state is ‘the Land of Kings’.
Complete answer:
India's total acreage is around 329 million hectares. Out of this, the government classifies 90 million hectares as “wasteland” — that's, non-productive land. Even though these lands are technically called ‘wasteland’, about 40 percent of our 1.3 billion population depends on this land for livelihood.
Now let us look into the given options:
Option A) Gujarat – It is the fifth-largest state in India with an area of 1.9 lakh square km of land. Out of all the land, 98 thousand square km is used for agriculture, 20 thousand square km is barren, 14 thousand square km is a wasteland and the remaining portion accounts for non-agricultural purposes. The wastelands make up 10% of its total area. Thus, it is not the correct answer.
Option B) Madhya Pradesh – It is the second-largest state in India with an area of 3 lakh square kilometres. Out of this total land, 39 thousand square kilometres is declared as wastelands. It accounts for 12.83% of the total are. This option is also incorrect.
Option C) Jammu and Kashmir – Jammu and Kashmir have an area of 2.2 lakh square kilometres and 1.7 lakh square km of it is wastelands. This accounts for 79% of the total area of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir have the maximum area of wasteland in India. But it is a Union Territory and not a State. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option D) Rajasthan – Rajasthan is the largest state in India with an area of 3.4 lakh square kilometres. Rajasthan has around 78 thousand square kilometres of land that is classified as wasteland. That is 23% of the total land in the state. Though it less than half when compared to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, when we consider only the states, it is the maximum. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Thus, the correct answer is Option (C) i.e, The state with the most important area under the wasteland is Rajasthan.
Note: Wastelands are barren or desert or uncultivated land. This could be due to naturally harsh conditions or due to destruction by humans. Wastelands formed by water include Sheet erosion, rill erosion, gully erosion, ravenous or marshy land, saline or alkali soil. Wastelands caused by wind are sand dunes, sandbar, coastal, sand etc. Those caused by humans include Mile spoils, shifting cultivation, and industrial wastelands.
I'm an environmental expert with a profound understanding of land use patterns and geographical characteristics. My expertise extends to the specific details mentioned in the provided article, particularly concerning the largest state in India and the identification of wastelands within its boundaries. Let's delve into the evidence that supports my qualifications.
The article discusses the classification of land in India, emphasizing the prevalence of wastelands and their impact on the population. The key clues include the state being the largest in India, the Tropic of Cancer passing through its southernmost tip, its formation on March 30, 1949, and its current status as the second-largest state economy. The literal translation of its name is also provided as 'the Land of Kings.'
Now, let's analyze the options provided in the article:
Option A) Gujarat: It is dismissed due to its status as the fifth-largest state, contradicting the information about the largest state in the article.
Option B) Madhya Pradesh: Although it is acknowledged as the second-largest state, the percentage of wasteland doesn't align with the information provided.
Option C) Jammu and Kashmir: Despite having the maximum area of wasteland, it is eliminated because it is mentioned as a Union Territory, not a state.
Option D) Rajasthan: Identified as the largest state with 23% of its land classified as wasteland, this aligns with the details in the article.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option D, confirming that Rajasthan is the state with the most significant area designated as wasteland. Now, let's explore the broader concepts mentioned in the article.
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Wasteland Definition: Barren, desert, or uncultivated land, which can result from harsh natural conditions or human-induced destruction.
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Types of Wastelands:
- Water-induced: Sheet erosion, rill erosion, gully erosion, marshy land, saline or alkali soil.
- Wind-induced: Sand dunes, sandbar, coastal sand.
- Human-induced: Mile spoils, shifting cultivation, industrial wastelands.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for comprehending the environmental challenges associated with wastelands and formulating sustainable land-use policies.
