Hanumantha Rao Committee, 1994

It was a technical committee setup in 1994 to review Drought Prone Areas Program (DPAP) & Desert Development Program (DDP). The committee observed that except in a few places, in most of the Programme areas the achievements have been dismal. Ecological degradation has been proceeding unabated in these areas with reduced forest cover, receding water table and shortage of drinking water, fodder and fuel-wood.

• Planning on watershed basis through the participation of the people at all stages, active involvement of the voluntary organizations and coordinated effort by the administration was seen to be needed to ensure effectiveness of these schemes.