Question

Arrange the land area in increasing order for India.
A. Forest
B. Net sown area
C. Permanent pastures and grazing land
D. Current fallow
E. Culturable wasteland
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. A $<$ B $<$ C $<$ D $<$ E
• B. E $<$ D $<$ C $<$ B $<$ A
• C. C $<$ E $<$ D $<$ A $<$ B
• D. A $<$ B $<$ D $<$ E $<$ C

Hint:

In Indian land classification: Net Sown Area ($\sim 45\%$) $>$ Forest ($\sim 24\%$) $>$ Fallows ($\sim 8\%$) $>$ Culturable Wastelands ($\sim 4\%$) $>$ Pastures ($\sim 3\%$).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question requires arranging major land-use categories in India in ascending order (smallest to largest) of their geographic area coverage.

Step 2: Land Use Classification Area Statistics in India (approx. Mha):

• C. Permanent pastures and grazing land: $\approx 10.3\text{ Mha}$ ($\sim 3.3\%$).
• E. Culturable wasteland: $\approx 12.5--13\text{ Mha}$ ($\sim 4.0\%$).
• D. Current fallow: $\approx 14.5--15\text{ Mha}$ ($\sim 4.7\%$).
• A. Forest area: $\approx 71.8\text{ Mha}$ ($\sim 23--24\%$).
• B. Net sown area: $\approx 139.5--140\text{ Mha}$ ($\sim 45.5\%$).

Step 3: Detailed Explation:

• Ordering land use areas from lowest to highest: \[ \text{Pastures (C)} < \text{Wasteland (E)} < \text{Current Fallow (D)} < \text{Forest (A)} < \text{Net Sown Area (B)} \] \[ 10.3\text{ Mha} < 12.5\text{ Mha} < 14.5\text{ Mha} < 71.8\text{ Mha} < 140\text{ Mha} \]
• Thus, the correct increasing sequence is C $<$ E $<$ D $<$ A $<$ B.

Step 4: Fil Answer:
The correct order is C $<$ E $<$ D $<$ A $<$ B, matching option (C).