Land management is essentially the management of the use and/or development of land assets. Land assets are utilized for various purposes that can include agricultural, forestry, water resource utilization, ecological, recreational and eco-tourist projects. For whatever purposes the land might be utilized, proper land management assures that the land is used in the most efficient manner possible. Some of the other functions that can be attributed to proper land management include: protecting the biodiversity of the land, ensuring safety and security of the land, regulating access to the land, preventing damage to the land and property, and keeping the land free from debris, erosion and other related problems.
Since the early 1900s, the concept of land management has evolved to suit the changing needs of land users. In this regard, the ILM has been developed to ensure that the various land resource management processes work smoothly and effectively. One of the primary roles of the ILS is to mitigate the effects of any changes in the land resource due to natural disasters or other factors and to ensure that the land resource is used as efficiently as possible.
The ILM plays a significant role in the coordination and implementation of the various land policies designed to serve the different purposes of different land users. Among the many different aspects of the ILM, the ‘Social Investment’ category includes a wide range of activities. These activities include scientific research and development, implementation of strategies for economic development, monitoring and evaluation of the ILM’s work, and consultation with concerned state and local governments and organizations. The ILM also involves an extensive range of projects that aim at promoting social infrastructure and improving quality of life through improved land planning and management, development of tourism infrastructure and projects that address social issues. In addition to these, various ILM projects also aim at developing economic diversification through better utilization of land, enhanced land management, and increased value of the land through development projects.