Question

Describe the importance of Drought Prone Area Development Programme in India.

Hint:

Focus on how conserving water/soil and diversifying livelihoods reduces drought's impact.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) is a long-running Government of India scheme aimed at tackling the special problems faced by areas that are chronically prone to drought.

Step 2: Objective:
Its central aim is to minimise the adverse effects of drought on crops, livestock, and human/animal productivity, and to promote overall economic development of drought-prone regions through better management of land, water, and other natural resources.

Step 3: Key Strategies:
Soil and water conservation works (check dams, watershed development), afforestation and pasture development, promotion of drought-resistant cropping patterns, and development of alternative, non-agricultural livelihood sources to reduce dependence on rain-fed farming alone.

Step 4: Importance:
By building water-harvesting infrastructure and diversifying livelihoods, DPAP reduces the vulnerability of these regions to recurring drought, improves food and fodder security, generates rural employment, and supports more sustainable and stable long-term development of ecologically fragile drought-affected areas.

Step 5: Final Answer:
DPAP is important because it reduces the impact of recurring drought through soil-water conservation, afforestation and diversified livelihoods, thereby improving the resilience, food security, and sustainable development of India's drought-prone regions.