Geography · Ch 14 — Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context
Hill Area Development Programme
Hill Area Development Programme
The Hill Area Development Programme was launched during the Fifth Five Year Plan, targeting 15 districts across the country. These districts included all the hilly districts of what was then Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), the Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills of Assam, the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, and the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu.
In 1981, the National Committee on the Development of Backward Areas recommended that all hill areas in the country lying above an altitude of 600 metres, and not already covered under a tribal sub-plan, should be treated as backward hill areas. This recommendation shaped the geographical scope of the programme.
Plans for developing these hill areas were drawn up with careful attention to their unique topographical, ecological, social, and economic conditions. The core aim was to harness the indigenous resources of these regions, especially through the development of horticulture.
The programme did not treat all hill areas uniformly. It specifically excluded those already covered by tribal sub-plans, recognising that tribal areas needed a separate, dedicated approach.
The textbook then presents a detailed case study of the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) in the Bharmaur region of Himachal Pradesh, which illustrates how area development planning works on the ground.
Case Study: Integrated Tribal Development Project in Bharmaur Region
Bharmaur is a notified tribal area since 21 November 1975, comprising the Bharmaur and Holi tehsils of Chamba district. It is the homeland of the Gaddi community, a tribal group that has maintained a distinct identity in the Himalayan region. The Gaddis traditionally practised transhumance (seasonal migration of livestock) and speak the Gaddiali dialect.
The region lies between 32°11' N and 32°41' N latitudes and 76°22' E and 76°53' E longitudes. It covers about 1,818 square kilometres, mostly between 1,500 metres and 3,700 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by lofty mountains: the Pir Panjal range to the north, the Dhaula Dhar range to the south, and their convergence near Rohtang Pass to the east. The river Ravi and its tributaries — the Budhil and the Tundahen — drain the territory, carving deep gorges and dividing the region into four physiographic divisions: Holi, Khani, Kugti, and Tundah.
The climate is harsh, with freezing weather and snowfall in winter. The mean monthly temperature in January is 4°C, and in July it is 26°C. This harsh climate, combined with a low resource base and a fragile environment, has deeply influenced the society and economy of the region.
According to the 2011 census, the total population of Bharmaur sub-division was 39,113, giving a density of just 21 persons per square kilometre. It is one of the most economically and socially backward areas of Himachal Pradesh. Historically, the Gaddis have experienced geographical and political isolation as well as socio-economic deprivation. The economy is largely based on agriculture and allied activities, especially sheep and goat rearing.
The development process for the Bharmaur tribal area began in the 1970s. Under the Fifth Five Year Plan, the tribal sub-plan was introduced in 1974, and Bharmaur was designated as one of the five Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) in Himachal Pradesh. The area development plan had two main objectives:
- Improving the quality of life of the Gaddis.
- Narrowing the gap in the level of development between Bharmaur and other areas of Himachal Pradesh.
The plan gave the highest priority to three sectors:
- Transport and communications.
- Agriculture and allied activities.
- Social and community services.
The most significant contribution of the tribal sub-plan in Bharmaur has been the development of infrastructure: schools, healthcare facilities, potable water, roads, communications, and electricity. However, the benefits have not been evenly distributed. Villages located along the river Ravi in the Holi and Khani areas have been the main beneficiaries. The remote villages in the Tundah and Kugti areas still lack sufficient infrastructure.
The social benefits from the ITDP have been substantial:
- A tremendous increase in literacy rate.
- An improvement in the sex ratio.
- A decline in child marriage. …