2.1 Land: A Finite Resource
Land is a natural resource of utmost importance. It supports all life forms — vegetation, wildlife, and human settlements. Land covers only about 30% of the Earth's surface, and not all of it is habitable or cultivable. With a growing population, pressure on land resources is increasing every year.
Land Use Patterns
Land use refers to the way land is used by humans — for agriculture, forests, settlements, industries, pastures, and other purposes.
| Category | India (%) | AP (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Net sown area | 46% | ~43% |
| Forests | 23% | ~23% |
| Non-agricultural use | 8% | ~10% |
| Barren and cultivable waste | 9% | ~8% |
| Pastures | 4% | ~3% |
| Other | 10% | ~13% |
Factors Affecting Land Use
- Physical factors: Topography, climate, soil type, water availability.
- Human factors: Population density, technology, culture, economic development.
Land Degradation and Conservation
Land degradation refers to the decline in the quality of land, making it less productive. Causes include deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of chemical fertilisers, industrial waste, mining, and urbanisation.
Conservation methods:
- Afforestation and reforestation.
- Controlled grazing.
- Terrace farming on slopes.
- Strip cropping to reduce wind erosion.
- Shelterbelts (rows of trees) in dry areas.
- Proper disposal of industrial waste.
2.2 Soil: The Living Skin of Earth
Soil is the uppermost layer of the Earth's crust, formed by the weathering of rocks over thousands of years. It supports plant life and is the medium for agriculture. Soil formation depends on the parent rock, climate, relief, vegetation, and time.
Major Soil Types of India
| Soil Type | Regions | Characteristics | Crops Grown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alluvial Soil | Indo-Gangetic plains, river deltas (Krishna-Godavari) | Fertile, sandy-loamy, rich in potash and lime | Rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses |
| Black Soil | Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat) | Clayey, deep, moisture-retentive, self-ploughing | Cotton, sugarcane, wheat |
| Red Soil | Tamil Nadu, AP, Karnataka, Odisha | Sandy-loamy, rich in iron oxide (red colour), low fertility | Millets, pulses, groundnut |
| Laterite Soil | Coastal regions (Kerala, Karnataka, Goa) | Acidic, rich in iron/aluminium, leaching-prone | Tea, coffee, cashew |
| Desert Soil | Rajasthan, Haryana | Sandy, low moisture, high salt content | Only drought-resistant crops |
| Mountain Soil | Himalayan region | Immature, gravelly, acidic | Tea, fruits, temperate crops |
AP Focus: Soil Types in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has three dominant soil types:
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Alluvial Soil: Found in the Krishna-Godavari delta region (coastal AP). This is the most fertile soil in the state, deposited by the Krishna and Godavari rivers. It supports intensive paddy (rice) cultivation, earning the region the title 'Rice Bowl of India'.
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Red Soil: Found extensively in Rayalaseema districts (Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor) and parts of Prakasam and Nellore. Red soil is rich in iron oxide but poor in nitrogen and phosphorous. With irrigation, it supports groundnut, millets, and tobacco.
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Black Soil: Found in parts of Kurnool and Guntur districts. Though limited in extent, black soil supports cotton and tobacco cultivation in these areas.
'Red soils may not be naturally fertile like alluvium, but with proper irrigation and fertilisers, they can be just as productive. The Rayalaseema region proves this every season.'
Soil Erosion and Conservation
Soil erosion is the wearing away of the topsoil by natural agents (wind, water) and human activities (deforestation, overgrazing, faulty farming).
Types of erosion:
- Gully erosion: Running water cuts deep channels (gullies) into the soil — common in steep slopes.
- Sheet erosion: Thin layer of topsoil is removed uniformly.
- Wind erosion: In dry areas, wind blows away the fine soil particles.
Conservation methods:
- Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contours of slopes.
- Terrace farming: Cutting steps into slopes to slow water.
- Mulching: Covering soil with organic matter.
- Strip cropping: Growing crops in alternating strips.
- Afforestation: Planting trees to bind the soil.
2.3 Water: A Precious Resource
Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, but only 2.5% is freshwater, and less than 1% is accessible for human use. India receives about 4% of the world's freshwater but has 17% of the world's population.
Water Scarcity
Causes:
- Over-exploitation (excessive pumping of groundwater).
- Pollution (industrial effluents, fertilisers, sewage).
- Deforestation (reduces groundwater recharge).
- Uneven distribution (some regions get heavy rain, others are drought-prone).
Water Conservation Methods
- Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater.
- Watershed management: Developing entire drainage basins to conserve water.
- Drip irrigation: Delivering water directly to plant roots.
- Bandhs and check dams: Small barriers that slow water flow and allow percolation.
AP Focus: Water Management
AP faces a stark water divide — the coastal region (Godavari-Krishna delta) has abundant water, while the Rayalaseema region frequently faces drought. Major projects include the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (linking Godavari to Krishna) and the Galiveedu Lift Irrigation project.
2.4 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
Natural vegetation refers to plant communities that have grown without human intervention. Wildlife includes all non-domesticated animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life.
Types of Natural Vegetation in India
| Type | Rainfall (cm) | Regions | Key Trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Evergreen | Over 200 cm | Western Ghats, NE India | Ebony, mahogany, rosewood |
| Tropical Deciduous | 100-200 cm | Most of India | Teak, sal, sandalwood, peepal |
| Thorn Forests | Less than 50 cm | Rajasthan, dry parts of AP | Acacia, cactus, date palms |
| Mangrove Forests | Delta regions | Sundarbans, Godavari-Krishna delta | Sundari, mangroves |
AP Focus: Eastern Ghats Forests
The Eastern Ghats stretch across AP, supporting tropical deciduous forests. Key forest areas include the Seshachalam Hills (Tirupati), Nallamala Hills (Kurnool-Prakasam), and Araku Valley (Visakhapatnam). These forests house:
- Flora: Teak, bamboo, sandalwood, pterocarpus (red sanders — endemic to AP's Seshachalam hills).
- Fauna: Tigers (Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve), leopards, sloth bears, deer, peacocks.
Wildlife Conservation
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Prohibits hunting of endangered species.
- Project Tiger (1973): India's flagship conservation program.
- Project Elephant (1992): Focuses on elephant conservation.
- Biosphere Reserves: Large protected areas like Nilgiri, Sundarbans.
AP's Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India. The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Godavari delta protects mangrove ecosystems and the critically endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
2.5 Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Confusing red and laterite soil | Red soil is in rain-shadow areas (AP, TN); laterite is in high-rainfall areas (Kerala) |
| Thinking alluvial soil is only in the north | The Krishna-Godavari delta also has rich alluvial soil — 'Rice Bowl of India' |
| Mixing up evergreen and deciduous forests | Evergreen = no dry season, leaves all year; deciduous = shed leaves in dry season |
| Using 'land use' and 'land cover' interchangeably | Land use = human purpose; land cover = physical surface (forests, water bodies) |
2.6 Exam Focus (AP Board)
| Topic | Marks |
|---|---|
| Soil types — characteristics and distribution | 4-5 marks |
| Water conservation / watershed management | 3-4 marks |
| Natural vegetation types | 2-3 marks |
| AP-specific soils and forests | 4 marks |
| Land degradation and conservation | 2-3 marks |
2.7 Quick Self-Test
Q1. Which soil type is found in the Krishna-Godavari delta? A1. Alluvial soil — the most fertile, deposited by the rivers.
Q2. Why is red soil red in colour? A2. Due to the presence of iron oxide.
Q3. Name the largest tiger reserve in India, located in AP. A3. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
Q4. What is watershed management? A4. The scientific management of an entire drainage basin to conserve water, soil, and vegetation.
Q5. What are the three broad categories of land use? A5. Agriculture, forests, settlements/industries.
Q6. What is the difference between evergreen and deciduous forests? A6. Evergreen forests have no dry season and trees remain green year-round; deciduous forests shed leaves during the dry season.
Q7. Name two red-sanders-rich hills in AP. A7. Seshachalam Hills (Tirupati).
Q8. Which wildlife sanctuary in AP protects Olive Ridley turtles? A8. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (Godavari delta).
Q9. How does overgrazing lead to soil erosion? A9. It removes grass cover, exposing the topsoil to wind and water erosion.
Q10. What is the main cause of land degradation in mining areas of AP? A10. Mining leaves large pits and waste heaps; deforestation for mining removes vegetation cover.
