DESERT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Desert
Development Programme (DDP)
Objectives |
|
To
mitigate the adverse effects of desertification and adverse
climatic conditions on crops, human and livestock population,
combating desertification. |
|
To
restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing
natural resources i.e. land, water, vegetative cover and rising
land productivity. |
|
To
implement developmental works through the watershed approach,
for land development, water resource development and afforestation/pasture
development |
Over the years, the increase in human and livestock population in
drought prone and desert areas has placed the natural resources of
certain very arid areas under relatively greater stress. The major
problems are continuous depletion of vegetative cover, increase in
soil erosion and fall in ground water table. On the recommendations
of the National Commission on Agriculture, in its Interim Report (1974),
and the Final Report (1976), the Desert Development Programme (DDP)
was started in the year 1977-78. The programme is being implemented
through watershed approach under the Guidelines for Watershed Development
w.e.f. 1.4.95.This project is under implementation in the districts
of Davanagere, Bagalakote, Raichur, Bijapur, Koppal and Bellary. It
covers 22 blocks in these 6 districts. The allocation is shared in
the ratio of 75:25 between the centre and the state. 130 watersheds
have been taken up for development under this programme.
During 2005-06 it was planned to develop an area of 23296 hectares
with an outlay of Rupees 2517.93 lakhs, against which an area of 16767
hectares was developed by incurring Rupees 845.31 lakhs.
