Dynamics of Land Use Pattern in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu in Nexus with Common Property Land Resources

This paper explores the dynamics of land use in Madurai district as it possesses the largest other fallow lands (48.28 per cent). Time series data on nine-fold classification for the study district of Tamil Nadu was collected from Season and Crop Reports of Tamil Nadu. The collected data from 1997-98 to 2017-18 were analysed using Compound Growth Rate, Cuddy Della Instability Index. Retention probability of land use pattern and forecasting was done using Markov Chain Analysis. The results revealed an increasing trend of Common Property Land Resources (CPLRs) due to declining nature of net sown area (-2.24 per cent per annum) and low retention capacity of current fallows. The erratic distribution of rainfall and water stress due to dry climatic conditions extends the current fallows into other fallow lands (4.54 per cent per annum). The predicted land use changes have also reflected the threatening scenario of increasing nature of current fallows and other fallow lands and declining nature of net sown area for the next decade. The study found Socio economic developments like Population growth and urbanization, and climatic conditions are drivers of change in land use pattern in Madurai district. Hence, the study suggest the promotion of less water intensive crops, water harvesting technologies like farm ponds and to give awareness about water saving technologies like micro irrigation to increase the productivity and profitability of agricultural lands where water and labour resources are scarce. Afforestation can be done in barren lands. Institutional arrangements should focus on framing Community User Group and women cooperatives to manage and effective utilisation of the increasing CPLRs in a better manner to ensure rainwater harvesting, fodder and fuel security, providing livelihood to rural poor as well as to sustain ecological balance.