Question : DESERT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME



(a) the number of blocks and districts in Bihar identified as desert area and such land there in hectares;

(b) the details of the measures taken to conserve land, water, cattle wealth and to preserve ecological balance thereunder Desert Development Programme (DDP) and results thereof till date; and

(c) The details of the works to be undertaken thereunder DDP?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI)

(a) No Block and District is identified as desert area in Bihar.

(b) The Desert Development Programme (DDP) is being implemented in 235 blocks of 40 districts in 7 States (Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka and Rajasthan). Bihar State is, however, not covered under DDP. The main activities undertaken under DDP are land development including soil and moisture conservation works, construction of water harvesting structures such as low- cost farm ponds, check-dams, percolation tanks and ground water recharge measures, afforestation, horticulture & pasture development works, shelterbelt plantations, sand dune stabilization etc., renovation and augmentation of water resources, repair, restoration and upgradation of existing common property assets and structures in the watershed.

Under DDP, a total number of 15746 projects covering an area of 78.73 lakh hectare have been sanctioned from 1995-96 to 2006-07. Out of these, 8219 projects covering an area of 41.10 lakh hectare have been completed.

(c) The Desert Development Programme along with other two area development programmes of Department of Land Resources, viz. Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP) has now been merged and consolidated into a single modified programme titled, ?Integrated Watershed Management Programme? (IWMP) with effect from 26.02.2009. The various activities undertaken under IWMP are soil & moisture conservation measures, rain water harvesting measures, afforestation, horticulture and pasture development, livelihood activities, capacity building & encouraging people?s participation.