Imagine a river so destructive that people called it the “Sorrow of Bengal.” The Damodar River, once known for its annual devastating floods, is not just a river—it became a symbol of what unchecked nature and under-planning can do. But from this sorrow was born a vision—a multi-purpose river valley project, inspired by the Tennessee…
Let’s look at Bastar, not just as a region, but as a living example of how geography, culture, and planning intersect in tribal India. Bastar is not merely a district—it’s a microcosm of India’s tribal geography challenges. Understanding it means understanding the roots of tribal underdevelopment, and the path to empowerment. Geographic Setting of Bastar…
India is a land of diversity—not just in culture or language, but in developmental needs. Among the most marginalised and historically excluded groups are the tribal communities, or Scheduled Tribes (STs). Their story is not just about identity and culture, but also about injustice, isolation, and the slow path to integration. Understanding the Tribal Demographic…
Let’s begin with a simple truth: Hills are beautiful but challenging.While they enrich our biodiversity and culture, they also present unique developmental hurdles that are quite different from the plains. To address these distinct needs, the Government launched the Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) with a philosophy: “Development should respect geography.” Importance of Hill Areas…
Let us begin with a basic but essential question:What exactly is drought? Is it simply a lack of rain? The answer is both yes and no. Drought is not just a climatic event, it is also an economic and ecological crisis—especially in a country like India where agriculture is rain-dependent. At its core, drought occurs…
When we speak of deserts, we often imagine a barren, lifeless land—hot, dry, sandy. But let’s pause and ask a critical planning question:Can desert regions be developed meaningfully?India’s planners grappled with this question, and the answer came in the form of a focused area-based initiative called the Desert Development Programme (DDP). Historical Background of DDP…
Let us begin with a simple yet important question: What do we mean by a ‘backward area’? In everyday language, a backward area might seem like a place that lags behind others in development—no factories, poor infrastructure, low incomes. But when we study this concept through the lens of regional planning, especially in India’s planning…
Let’s start with the most fundamental idea. A watershed is not a body of water. It is the entire land area that drains water — from rainfall or snowmelt — into a particular water body like: 🧭 In Hindi, we might call it जलग्रहण क्षेत्र — the area that “catches” or “collects” water. Think of…
A Command Area refers to the geographical area that is irrigated by canals, wells, tanks, or tube wells. It is the commanded region — the land area where water from these sources is meant to reach for agricultural use. But here’s the paradox:🔍 Irrigation Potential is Created, but often not Utilized. Why? 🚧 Problems in…
🔹Background & Context: Why was IRDP needed? Let’s begin with the “why”. After Independence, India launched several rural-focused development schemes: ✅ These were well-intentioned, but: 🛑 Result? Lack of integration and coordination⛓️ These isolated schemes couldn’t tackle the deep-rooted poverty in rural India. ➡️ This led to the realization that rural poverty can’t be solved…
