Cultivable Land and the Nature of Its Distribution in Cold Desert of Lahaul-Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Limited availability of cultivable land and its distribution in cold desert regions in general and in Lahaul-Spiti in particular reveal the severity of natural environment. It also affects socio-cultural, political and economic aspects. Cultivable land is limited and it occurs only in a few suitable locations due to rugged topography. Climate shows extremity with very cold, arid to semi-arid conditions. Thin and undeveloped mountain soil and nearly absent natural vegetation further exemplify harsh environment. Role of environmental factors get further accentuated owing to lack of all weather linkages those hinder the proper functioning of many infrastructural facilities. Severity of these natural factors varies attitudinally as well as spatially. Lahaul-Spiti is the largest district of Himachal Pradesh covering an area of 13,835 km² accounting for 24.85 % geographical area of the state. It was inhabited by 33,224 persons in 2001 forming density of about two persons per km². Only 272 villages out of total 403 villages were inhabited. Altitude ranges from 2,650 to 5,600 m. An attempt has been made in this paper to analyse the spatial variations and temporal changes in the distribution of cultivable land and its per capita availability across altitudinal zones. Data used in the study was acquired from both secondary sources as well as through primary survey. Primary survey covered 300 households selected from 10 villages lying across three altitudinal zones. Per capita availability of agricultural land was found to be 0.12 ha with inter-zonal and inter-personal variations across zones during 1991–2001.