Read the passage and answer the questions:
Drought Prone Area Programme
This programme was initiated during the Fourth Five Year Plan with the objectives of providing employment to the people in drought-prone areas and creating productive assets. Initially, this programme laid emphasis on the construction of labour-intensive civil works. But later on, it emphasised on irrigation projects, land development programmes, afforestation, grassland development and creation of basic rural infrastructure, such as electricity, roads, market, credit and services.
The National Committee on Development of Backward Areas reviewed the performance of this programme. It has been observed that this programme is largely confined to the development of agriculture and allied sectors with major focus on restoration of ecological balance. Since growing population pressure is forcing the society to utilise the marginal lands for agriculture, and, thereby causing ecological degradation, there is a need to create alternative employment opportunities in the drought-prone areas. The other strategies of development of these areas include adoption of integrated watershed development approach at the micro-level. The restoration of ecological balance between water, soil, plants, and human and animal population should be a basic consideration in the strategy of development of drought-prone areas.
The Planning Commission of India (1967) identified 67 districts (entire or partly) of the country prone to drought. The Irrigation Commission (1972) introduced the criterion of 30 per cent irrigated area and demarcated the drought-prone areas. Broadly, the drought-prone area in India spread over semi-arid and arid tract of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada region of Maharashtra, Rayalseema and Telangana plateaus of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka plateau and highlands and interior parts of Tamil Nadu. The drought-prone areas of Punjab, Haryana and north-Rajasthan are largely protected due to spread of irrigation in these regions.
Which of the following states does NOT have drought-prone area?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Bihar
Option (1) Gujarat — Has drought-prone area (Incorrect). Its semi-arid and arid tract is part of the drought-prone area of India.
Option (2) Maharashtra — Has drought-prone area (Incorrect). The Marathwada region of Maharashtra is drought-prone.
Option (3) Bihar — No drought-prone area (Correct). The drought-prone area spreads over the semi-arid and arid tracts of western and peninsular India, from Rajasthan and Gujarat to the plateaus of the south; Bihar is not part of this dry belt.
Option (4) Madhya Pradesh — Has drought-prone area (Incorrect). Western Madhya Pradesh is part of the drought-prone tract.
NCERT (2025-26): “Drought Prone Area Programme … Broadly, the drought-prone area in India spread over semi-arid and arid tract of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Western Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada region of Maharashtra, Rayalseema and Telangana plateaus of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka plateau and highlands and interior parts of Tamil Nadu. The drought-prone areas of Punjab, Haryana and north-Rajasthan are largely protected due to spread of irrigation in these regions.” |