The Eastern Ghats, running through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, present a unique pattern of land utilisation shaped by topography, soil, and climate. Agriculture in the region is predominantly rainfed due to limited irrigation facilities. Terrace farming is common in hilly tracts, while valley floors support paddy cultivation. The region also features mixed cropping with millets, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops. Forests occupy significant areas, particularly in Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh, serving both ecological and economic functions. Pastures and grazing lands are interspersed in semi-arid zones, while mineral-rich pockets support mining activities.

Recent trends indicate several threats to traditional land utilisation patterns. Rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, and mining have led to deforestation and loss of agricultural land. Soil erosion on steep slopes, especially in areas with heavy rainfall, is degrading fertility. Shifting cultivation, though traditional, is increasingly unsustainable due to population pressure and reduced fallow periods. Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and crop failures, pushing farmers towards mono-cropping or abandoning marginal lands. Unplanned infrastructure development, such as highways and hydropower projects, further fragments land use, disrupting ecological balance and traditional livelihoods.

In conclusion, while the Eastern Ghats maintain a mixed and adaptive land-use pattern, modern pressures such as industrialisation, mining, urbanisation, and climate variability threaten its sustainability, calling for integrated land management practices.