Drought Prone Area Programme
The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was launched during India's Fourth Five Year Plan with the primary objective of providing employment opportunities and creating productive assets in drought-affected regions. While originally focusing on labor-intensive civil works, the program later included irrigation projects, agricultural development, afforestation efforts, and basic rural infrastructure improvements like electricity, roads, markets, credit, and services.
With recognition of persistent regional imbalances in economic development, the Planning Commission sought to advance planning efforts to address specific target areas, facilitating initiatives such as the DPAP. This program emerged alongside similar efforts like the Command Area Development Programme, focusing on the unique challenges faced by drought-prone regions.
As drought-prone areas in India often exhibit ecological vulnerability and socio-economic challenges, sustained planning and implementation of the DPAP are significant for improving livelihoods, restoring ecological balance, and ensuring long-term sustainability of resources in these areas.