Dynamics of Land-use Pattern in Konkan Region of Maharashtra

The shift in land-use classes has been studied in the Konkan region of Maharashtra using secondary data for the period 1981–82 to 2010–11. Growth and instability in land-use classes have also been studied. The land under non-agricultural use, miscellaneous trees, current fallows and net sown area has registered a significant growth, while, area under barren and uncultivable land, cultivable waste and permanent pasture has declined significantly during the period under study. The instability indices have revealed that area under miscellaneous trees, current fallows and other fallows was instable. The transition probabilities matrix has shown that forest, barren and uncultivable land and net sown area are more stable than other land-use classes. The land put to non-agricultural use retained 36.9 per cent of its previous share, while net sown area retained 86.7 per cent of its original share. The transition probabilities matrix has revealed that area under undesirable sector is more instable as compared to other ecological sectors in this region. The study has observed that the shift in area from agricultural to non-agricultural uses, particularly in Thane and Raigad districts is not a healthy sign.