This paper deals with legal, administrative, social and policy aspects of constraints for people's participation in wastelands afforestation programme. The present study was conducted in three categories of villages of Uttar Pradesh.

Land degradation is a global development and environment issue that afflicts China more than most countries in terms of the extent, economic impact, and number of people affected. Up-to-date, quantitative information is needed to support policy and action for food and water security, economic development, and environmental integrity.

Soil resource characterization of Dhamni micro-watershed in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra was carried out using IRS-1D LISS-III data in conjunction with field survey and ancillary data. The study indicates that nearly 84.2 per cent of the total geographical area of the watershed is under cultivation.

Land and water are the main natural resources vital for agricultural production system. About one-third of cultivated land is irrigated and remaining 85 million ha is under rainfed cultivation in the country. Also about 146 million ha is degraded land needing reclamation/management for optimal productive use. The increasing human population is the main cause for reduced availability of land.

The term, 'environment', has many connotations. In this paper, by 'environment' we mean the natural environment, which encompasses all the biotic and abiotic elements that form our surroundings, that is, the air, the land, the water, the forests, the seas.