Major Drought-prone Area - India | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

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Major Drought-prone Area
Drought Prone Areas in India
Introduction
India, one of the most severely drought-affected countries, faces droughts across
several regions. Extreme drought-affected areas encompass most parts of
Rajasthan, areas to the west of the Aravali hills, and districts in Uttar Pradesh,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Government Measures for Drought Relief
The Government of India implements various measures to provide relief to
farmers and mitigate the impacts of droughts. These include disaster
management guidelines, crop contingency plans, provision of safe drinking water
and essential supplies, shifting of affected populations and livestock, groundwater
identification, river interlinking, reservoir construction, remote sensing, rainwater
harvesting, and water conservation initiatives.
Page 2


Major Drought-prone Area
Drought Prone Areas in India
Introduction
India, one of the most severely drought-affected countries, faces droughts across
several regions. Extreme drought-affected areas encompass most parts of
Rajasthan, areas to the west of the Aravali hills, and districts in Uttar Pradesh,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Government Measures for Drought Relief
The Government of India implements various measures to provide relief to
farmers and mitigate the impacts of droughts. These include disaster
management guidelines, crop contingency plans, provision of safe drinking water
and essential supplies, shifting of affected populations and livestock, groundwater
identification, river interlinking, reservoir construction, remote sensing, rainwater
harvesting, and water conservation initiatives.
Major Drought-prone Area
NDMA Guidelines for Drought Management
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) plays a pivotal role in
drought management. It has introduced comprehensive guidelines to enhance
preparedness and minimize the impact of droughts. Key highlights of the
guidelines include:
· Establishment of Drought Monitoring Cells (DMCs) at the state level.
· Preparation of vulnerability maps and control rooms for efficient drought
management.
· Integration of remote sensing and satellite imagery for drought monitoring
and forecasting.
· Research on drought-resistant crop varieties and cloud seeding policies.
· Promotion of agricultural insurance programs and capacity-building
programs.
· Inclusion of drought management in educational curricula and involvement
of local bodies and corporate sectors in drought risk management.
Conclusion
Droughts have far-reaching implications on societies and the environment. India,
with its diverse climatic conditions, faces recurring droughts and their severe
consequences. The government's efforts, along with the NDMA guidelines, aim to
mitigate the impacts of drought through proactive measures, effective
management, and community participation.