Encroachment of agricultural land in urban fringe areas of Aligarh city, India – process and parameters

Abstract

The present paper concerns over the phenomena of encroachment of agricultural lands for urban purposes, in the fringe areas of Aligarh city located in the plains of North India. In reality, it is a consequential phenomenon of urbanization characterized with predominance of non-agricultural pursuits, high density of population, fast pace of life, availability of improved civic amenities, and affluences. Urban growth and encroachment of agricultural lands in urban fringe of Aligarh city are the main components of the research paper. An enumeration of process and parameters has been attempted and examined on the basis of eight parameters that have led encroachment of agricultural lands for urban uses. The research work involved an extensive gamut of data and information which has been used to analyze and assess the phenomena. In the end, the paper arrived to conclude that, as a result of physical and socio-cultural advancement, the city of Aligarh spares out continuously over large areas, and the process of encroachment of rural lands continues far and in wide areas for the use of urban activities.

Keywords:

• urban encroachment
• sprawl development
• fringe areas
• rural–urban migration and agricultural lands

Acknowledgements

The author has acknowledged the services of National Informatics Centre, Aligarh and Aligarh Development Authority (ADA) for providing basic information to carry out this research work. The author also wishes to thank all the members of the Department of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University for their help and providing other inputs at various levels.