The correct answer is option 3, net sown area. In India, the increase in population and the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes have led to a decrease in the net sown area.
The net sown area is the total area of land that is cultivated and harvested in a given period. As the population increases, there is a greater demand for food and other agricultural products. This has led to the expansion of urban areas and the conversion of agricultural land for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes. As a result, the available land for farming and cultivation decreases, reducing the net sown area.
Options 1 and 2, forested land and cultivable wasteland, may also be affected by the increase in population and land diversion. Forested land can be cleared for agriculture or other purposes, leading to a decrease in forest cover. Cultivable wasteland refers to land that is not currently used for agriculture but has the potential for cultivation. This land may also be converted for non-agricultural purposes, reducing its availability for cultivation.
Option 4, double-cropped area, refers to the practice of growing two crops on the same piece of land in a year. While land diversion and population increase may impact the availability of double-c