PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN CONTEXT

The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was launched during the Fourth Five Year Plan with the primary objectives of providing employment opportunities in drought-prone regions and creating productive assets. Initially, the focus was on labour-intensive civil works, but the program evolved to emphasize irrigation projects, land development, afforestation, and rural infrastructure creation.

Evolution of Focus Areas

1. The program began with a focus on labour-intensive civil projects.
2. Later, the program shifted towards irrigation projects, land development, afforestation, and rural infrastructure creation.
3. The National Committee on Development of Backward Areas reviewed the program's performance, noting its concentration on agriculture, allied sectors, and ecological balance restoration.

Strategies for Development

1. The program primarily targets agricultural and allied sectors to boost productivity and restore ecological balance.
2. Creating alternative employment opportunities is a key strategy to reduce pressure on marginal lands and curb ecological degradation.
3. Watershed Development: The adoption of an integrated watershed development approach is crucial at the micro-level to address water, soil, and plant-related issues.
4. Ecological Restoration: Restoring the ecological balance between water, soil, plants, and human-animal populations is a fundamental consideration in the development strategy for drought-prone areas.

Identification of Drought-Prone Areas

The Planning Commission of India identified 67 districts, either entirely or partly, prone to drought. The Irrigation Commission further refined this identification using criteria such as a 30% irrigated area. These areas are primarily located in semi-arid and arid tracts of states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Protected Regions Certain regions like Punjab, Haryana, and parts of north Rajasthan are relatively protected due to widespread irrigation coverage in these areas.

4. Case Study: Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur Region

The Bharmaur tribal area in Himachal Pradesh comprises the Bharmaur and Holi tehsils of the Chamba district and has been recognized as a tribal region since 21 November 1975. It is inhabited by the 'Gaddi' tribal community known for their distinct identity and Gaddiali dialect, and historically practised transhumance.

Challenges and Characteristics

The Bharmaur tribal region faces challenges such as harsh climate conditions, a low resource base, and a fragile environment. The population density is low, with 39,113 people in the Bharmaur sub-division as per the 2011 census, making it one of the economically and socially backward areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Initiation of Development

The development process in Bharmaur began in the 1970s when Gaddis were recognized as 'scheduled tribes.' The Fifth Five-Year Plan introduced the tribal sub-plan in 1974, designating Bharmaur as one of the Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) in Himachal Pradesh. This plan aimed to uplift the quality of life for Gaddis and bridge the development gap between Bharmaur and other regions.

Key Focus Areas of ITDP

1. The ITDP focused on improving transport, communications, agriculture, allied activities, and social and community services.
2. Significant improvements were observed in literacy rates, sex ratio, and reduction in child marriage. Female literacy rose from 1.88% in 1971 to 65% in 2011, indicating a decline in gender inequality.
3. Traditionally agrarian, the region saw an increase in cash crop cultivation alongside subsistence agriculture. However, technological advancements in crop cultivation remain limited.
4. While pastoralism declined, many Gaddis still practised transhumance and migrated for wage labour during winters.

Impact of ITDP

The ITDP has contributed significantly to infrastructural development, education, and social empowerment in Bharmaur. However, challenges persist in remote areas like Tundah and Kugti, indicating the need for sustained efforts and targeted interventions for holistic development.

5. Evolution of Development Concept

The historical context of development reflects the interaction between human societies and their environment, influenced by technology and institutions. Development encompasses economic, social, and environmental transformations.

• Shift in Development Paradigm: Post-World War II, development was equated with economic growth measured by GNP and per capita income. However, inequality persisted despite economic progress, leading to the inclusion of equity and redistribution in development goals during the 1970s.
• Comprehensive Development Approach: By the 1980s, development expanded to include social well-being, health, education, equality, and political rights, aiming for widespread improvement in material and social conditions.
• Emergence of Sustainable Development: Growing environmental awareness in the late 1960s led to concerns about industrial impacts on the environment. Works like 'The Population Bomb' and 'The Limits to Growth' heightened these concerns, prompting the concept of sustainable development.
• Brundtland Report and Sustainable Development Definition: The United Nations' World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) under Gro Harlem Brundtland defined sustainable development in 1987 as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.
• Principles of Sustainable Development: Sustainable development integrates ecological, social, and economic aspects, emphasizing resource conservation for future generations. It promotes holistic development for humanity's common future.

 Indira Gandhi Canal: Case Study

• Canal Structure and Command Area: The canal originates from Harike Barrage in Punjab and runs parallel to the Pakistan border, covering a vast stretch in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The planned length of the canal system is 9,060 km, serving a cultivable command area of 19.63 lakh hectares.
• Construction Phases and Irrigation Methods: The construction of the canal system occurred in two stages, with Stage I covering districts like Ganganagar and Hanumangarh, while Stage II extends to districts like Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and others. The system employs both flow and lift systems for irrigation.
• Impact on Ecology and Environment: The introduction of canal irrigation has brought significant changes to the region's ecology, positively impacting soil moisture levels, and afforestation, and reducing wind erosion. However, it has also led to challenges such as waterlogging and soil salinity due to excessive water use.
• Transformation of Agricultural Economy: Canal irrigation has transformed the agricultural landscape, allowing for increased cultivation and crop intensity. Traditional crops like gram, bajra, and jowar have been replaced by crops like wheat, cotton, groundnut, and rice, resulting from intensive irrigation practices.
• Challenges and Sustainability: While canal irrigation initially boosted agricultural and livestock productivity, it has raised concerns about waterlogging, soil salinity, and long-term sustainability. Balancing intensive irrigation with environmental conservation remains a key challenge for the Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area.

Measures for Promotion of Sustainable Development in Indira Gandhi Canal Command Area

• Emphasize protective irrigation in Stage I and efficient irrigation practices in Stage II to reduce water wastage.
• Encourage cultivation of plantation crops like citrus fruits that are less water-intensive, promoting sustainable water use.
• Execute programs such as the lining of water courses, land development, and equal distribution of canal water (warabandi system) to minimize water conveyance losses.
• Reclaim areas affected by waterlogging and soil salinity through appropriate measures to restore soil health and productivity.
• Focus on eco-development strategies like afforestation, shelterbelt plantation, and pasture development, especially in environmentally fragile Stage-II areas.
• Provide financial and institutional support to land allottees with poor economic backgrounds, ensuring their sustainable participation in cultivation activities.
• Promote diversification of economic activities beyond agriculture and animal husbandry, fostering linkages between villages, agro-service centres, and market hubs for a balanced economic development approach.