"The restoration of ecological balance between water, soil, plants, human and animal population should be a basic consideration in the strategy of development of 'drought-prone area in India". Explain this statement with suitable facts.

Explanation

(a) This programme was initiated during the Fourth Five Year Plan.
(b) Irrigation Commission ( 1972) introduced the criterion of 30 per cent irrigated area and demarcated the drought prone areas.
(c) The objectives of providing employment to the people in drought-prone areas and creating productive assets.
(d) This programmes laid emphasis on the construction of labour intensive civil works. Irrigation projects, land development programmes, afforestation, grassland development and creation of basic rural infrastructure such as electricity, roads, market, credit and services.
(e) Other strategies include adoption of integrated watershed development approach at micro level.
(f) The restoration of ecological balance between water, soil, plants and human population.