Consider the following statements about land use changes in India and identify the correct statements.
A. The total cropped area in India has increased from about 118 million hectare in 1951 to about 139 million hectare in 2019.
B. The net sown area in India has increased from about 131 million hectare in 1951 to about 197 million hectare in 2019
C. The forested area in India increased from about 40 million hectare in 1951 to about 72 million hectare in 2019.
D. The culturable waste land in India has been decreased from about 22 million hectare in 1951 to about 12.2 million hectare in 2019.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

The correct answer is: (c), C and D only
The forested area in India increased from about 40 million hectare in 1951 to about 72 million hectare in 2019.
Forested area refers to the total land area covered by forests, including both natural and planted forests, within a specific geographical area or region.
The increase in forested area from 1951 to 2019 indicates a positive trend in forest cover expansion in India over the specified period. The statement highlights a positive trend of increasing forested area in India from about 40 million hectares in 1951 to about 72 million hectares in 2019, indicating efforts towards forest conservation and expansion in the country.
The culturable waste land in India has been decreased from about 22 million hectare in 1951 to about 12.2 million hectare in 2019 Culturable waste land refers to land that is potentially suitable for cultivation but is currently not being utilized for agricultural purposes due to various reasons such as topography, soil quality, or lack of infrastructure.
The decrease in the extent of culturable waste land indicates a trend of land development, agricultural expansion, and land use changes in India over the specified period.

Information booster
The term "total crop area" refers to the sum of all land areas utilized for cultivating crops within a specific geographical area or region. It encompasses all land that is actively used for growing crops, regardless of the type of crops grown or the farming methods employed.
The total cropped area in India has increased from about 118 million hectare in 1951 to about 139 million hectare in 2019.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, the total cropped area in India has increased from around 107 million hectares in 1950-51 to about 197 million hectares in 2018-19. These numbers may vary slightly depending on the data source and methodology used for estimation.
The term "net sown area" refers to the total land area within a region that is actually sown with crops during an agricultural year and is available for cultivation. It represents the portion of agricultural land that is actively used for growing crops, excluding any area under fallow, current fallow, and other non-agricultural uses.
The net sown area in India has increased from about 131 million hectare in 1951 to about 197 million hectare in 2019
India's total geographical area is approximately 328 million hectares, and the net sown area typically ranges between 140 to 150 million hectares, accounting for around 45% of the total geographical area. The net sown area has fluctuated over the years due to factors such as changes in agricultural practices, land use patterns, and government policies. However, it has not experienced such a substantial increase from 131 million hectares to 197 million hectares.
Therefore, the statement provided is not correct.