Gairsain, March 13 -- The total agricultural area in Uttarakhand has declined by nearly 16% since the state's formation in 2000, the state government informed the assembly in a written reply.

The net sown area - the land actually cultivated with crops - has declined from 7.70 lakh hectares in 2000 to 5.27 lakh hectares at present, while fallow land - agricultural land left uncultivated for a period - has increased from 1.07 lakh hectares to 2.08 lakh hectares, the reply read.

The government was replying to a question by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Doiwala, Brij Bhushan Gairola.

"At the time of formation of Uttarakhand state, the agricultural area was 8.77 lakh hectares (net sown area 7.70 lakh hectares and fallow land 1.07 la...