Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Cultivable Wasteland in Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study investigates the Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Cultivable Wasteland in Western Uttar Pradesh (2017-2023), focusing on district-level changes and classification patterns. Data from six districts Bijnor, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Shamli, and Baghpat are analysed to quantify the area under cultivable wasteland over the seven-year period and the data is sourced from the land records officer and the director of agricultural statistics Uttar Pradesh. Significant variability is observed: Bijnor’s wasteland expanded from 2,197 ha to 4,215 ha (+91.85%), Saharanpur from 471 ha to 1,073 ha (+127.81%), and Shamli from 44 ha to 801 ha (+1,720.45%). In contrast, Muzaffarnagar (-22.94%) and Meerut (-77.37%) recorded substantial reductions, while Baghpat showed a moderate increase (+25.53%). K-means clustering (k=3) based on percentage change grouped districts into: High-increase (Shamli, Saharanpur), Moderate-increase (Bijnor, Baghpat), and Decline (Muzaffarnagar, Meerut). This spatial grouping highlights uneven patterns of land conversion and degradation, likely driven by district-specific socio-economic, agricultural, and policy factors. The results reveal that while some districts have successfully reclaimed wasteland, others have experienced substantial expansion, posing sustainability challenges. The integration of temporal trend analysis with spatial clustering offers valuable insights for targeted land management interventions. Policymakers can utilize these findings to prioritize regions for reclamation programs, promote sustainable cultivation, and address localized drivers of wasteland dynamics in Western Uttar Pradesh.