MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SURYAKANTA PATIL)
(a) As per the `Wastelands Atlas, 2000s published by the Department of Land Resources
in collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad, the extent
of total wastelands in the country is 63.85 million hectares. State-wise break up of
wastelands is given in Annexure-I.
(b) Watershed development projects for treatment of wastelands/degraded lands in the
country are sanctioned by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural
Development under 3 Area Development Programmes namely Integrated Wastelands
Development Programme (IWDP), Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development
Programme (DDP) for a period of 5 years. The Department has released Rs. 198656.13 lakhs
for various projects under the above programmes in the States during the last three years
as per details given in Annexure-II. Under these programmes, various soil & moisture conservation
activities, water harvesting, afforestation, pasture development etc. are carried out with the
active participation of local inhabitants.
(c) Out of 63.85 million hectares of wastelands, 51.049 million hectares are treatable
wastelands. Out of this, the Department of Land Resources is to treat 30.84 million hectares
of wastelands (balance being treated by other Ministries). At the present cost norm of Rs.
6000 per hectare, the total cost for treatment comes to Rs. 18,503.28 crores. The Department
of Land Resources has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 3456.48 crores w.e.f. 1.4.1995 till
31.03.2004 under IWDP, DPAP and DDP for treatment of 19.41 million hectares on
watershed basis which also includes wastelands.
(d) & (e) Land is a State subject. Therefore, allotment of wastelands for development
purposes is the responsibility of the concerned States.
(f) & (g) No such Mission has been launched by the Government.
