Focusing on a case study from Nandivali village, Maharashtra, India, the paper: analyses the land use of the study area; determines the causes of wasteland formation in the area; develops a land capability model for the study area; and suggests an integrated wasteland development plan for the area. Data are presented from the Pune District census in 1971 and 1981. Issues are discussed under the headings: agriculture; land tenure; land use analysis; land capability classification; characteristics of land capability classes; and a proposed land use pattern.