Planning for Backward Areas

Backward areas, deserts, drought-prone areas, hill areas, and tribal areas are often characterized by inadequate infrastructure, limited access to resources, and low levels of economic development. These regions require special attention and planning to ensure their sustainable development.

History of Planning for Backward Areas

In India, the concept of planning for the development of backward areas was first introduced in the First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956). The plan aimed to reduce the disparities between the developed and underdeveloped regions of the country. Since then, successive plans have emphasized the need for special attention and planning for the development of backward areas.

Types of Backward Areas

Backward areas can be classified into four types based on their level of development, namely:

• Economically Backward Areas: These are areas where the per capita income is below the national average.
• Socially Backward Areas: These are areas where the social indicators such as literacy, health, and nutrition are below the national average.
• Infrastructure Backward Areas: These are areas where the infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply is inadequate.
• Geographically Backward Areas: These are areas that are remote, hilly, or have difficult terrain.

Examples of Backward Areas

Some examples of backward areas in India are:

• Bundelkhand Region: This region spans across the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and is characterized by poverty, low agricultural productivity, and inadequate infrastructure.
• Rayalaseema Region: This region in Andhra Pradesh is known for its water scarcity, droughts, and low agricultural productivity.
• Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) Region: This region in Odisha is known for its high poverty levels, low literacy rates, and inadequate healthcare facilities.

Planning for Desert Development

Deserts are characterized by arid conditions, low rainfall, and extreme temperatures. Development planning for desert regions must take into account the unique challenges posed by such harsh environments.

Types of Desert Areas

Deserts can be classified into two types based on their climate and location:

• Hot Desert Areas: These are areas with high temperatures and low humidity, such as the Thar Desert in India.
• Cold Desert Areas: These are areas with low temperatures and little rainfall, such as the Ladakh region in India.

Examples of Desert Development

Some examples of desert development initiatives in India are:

• Desert Development Programme: This programme was launched in 1977 with the aim of restoring degraded land, improving soil and water conservation, and promoting alternative livelihoods in desert regions.
• Solar Energy Development in Thar Desert: The Thar Desert in India has immense potential for solar energy generation, and several solar power projects have been initiated in the region to tap this potential.

Issues in Desert Development Planning

Some of the major issues in planning for desert development are:

• Water Scarcity: Deserts are characterized by low rainfall and limited water resources, making water scarcity a major challenge for development.
• Soil Erosion: The arid conditions and strong winds in desert regions can lead to soil erosion, reducing the fertility of the land and making it difficult to grow crops.

Planning for Drought-Prone Area Development

Drought-prone areas are regions that experience frequent or prolonged periods of low rainfall, leading to water scarcity and crop failures. Development planning for such regions must focus on enhancing water resources, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and providing alternative livelihoods.

Types of Drought-Prone Areas

Drought-prone areas can be classified into two types based on their level of severity:

• Moderate Drought-Prone Areas: These areas experience occasional droughts and have some resilience to cope with them.
• Severe Drought-Prone Areas: These areas experience frequent or prolonged droughts, and the communities living in these regions have limited resources and are highly vulnerable to the impacts of droughts.

Examples of Drought-Prone Areas

Some examples of drought-prone areas in India are:

• Bundelkhand Region: This region experiences frequent droughts and has limited access to water resources, making it highly vulnerable to water scarcity.
• Marathwada Region: This region in Maharashtra experiences frequent droughts and has low agricultural productivity due to inadequate rainfall.

Planning for Hill Area Development

Hill areas are characterized by steep slopes, rugged terrain, and fragile ecosystems. Development planning for hill areas must take into account the unique challenges posed by these conditions, such as soil erosion, landslides, and biodiversity conservation.

Types of Hill Areas

Hill areas can be classified into three types based on their altitude:

• Lower Himalayan Region: This region spans across the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand and is characterized by moderate altitude and relatively gentler slopes.
• Middle Himalayan Region: This region spans across the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and is characterized by higher altitude and steeper slopes.
• Eastern and Western Ghats: These are hill ranges that span across the eastern and western coasts of India and are characterized by lower altitude and relatively gentler slopes.

Examples of Hill Area Development

Some examples of hill area development initiatives in India are:

• Integrated Watershed Management Programme: This programme aims to promote sustainable agriculture practices, improve water resources, and reduce soil erosion in hill areas.
• National Afforestation Programme: This programme aims to promote afforestation and biodiversity conservation in hill areas.

Issues in Hill Area Development Planning

Some of the major issues in planning for hill area development are:

• Landslides and Soil Erosion: The steep slopes and fragile ecosystems in hill areas make them highly prone to landslides and soil erosion, posing a major challenge for development planning.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Hill areas are home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and development planning must take into account the need to conserve this biodiversity.

Planning for Tribal Area Development

Tribal areas are regions that are inhabited by indigenous communities with distinct cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. Development planning for tribal areas must take into account the unique socio-cultural context of these communities and ensure their participation in the development process.

Examples of Tribal Areas

Some examples of tribal areas in India are:

• Northeast India: This region is home to several indigenous communities such as the Nagas, Khasis, and Mizos.
• Central India: This region is home to several indigenous communities such as the Gonds, Bhils, and Santhals.

Planning for Tribal Area Development

Some examples of tribal area development initiatives in India are:

• Tribal Sub-Plan: This plan aims to allocate a proportionate share of development funds for the development of tribal areas.
• Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act: This act aims to promote self-governance and community participation in the development process in tribal areas.

Issues in Tribal Area Development Planning

Some of the major issues in planning for tribal area development are:

• Cultural Sensitivity: Development planning must take into account the unique socio-cultural context of tribal communities and ensure their participation in the development process.
• Land Rights: Tribal communities often have traditional land rights, and development planning must ensure that these rights are protected and respected