The full form of DPAP is Drought Prone Areas Programme.

Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) is the “earliest area development programme” launched by the Central Government in 1973-74 to tackle the special problems faced by those fragile areas which are constantly affected by severe drought conditions.

These areas are characterized by large human and cattle populations which are continuously putting heavy pressure on the already fragile natural resources base for food, fodder and fuel.

The major problems are continuous depletion of vegetative cover, increase in soil erosion, fall in ground water levels due to continuous exploitation without any effort to recharge the underground aquifers.

Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) is the earliest area development programme launched
by the Central Government in 1973-74 (4th Five Year Plan) to tackle the special problems faced by
those fragile areas, which are constantly affected by severe drought conditions. These areas are
characterized by large human and cattle populations which are continuously putting heavy pressure on
the already degraded natural resources for food, fodder and fuel. The major problems are continuous
depletion of vegetative cover, increase in soil erosion and fall in ground water levels due to
continuous exploitation without any effort to recharge the underground aquifers.
Objectives of DPAP
The basic objective of the programme is:
i. To minimize the adverse effects of drought on the production of crops and livestock and
productivity of land, water and human resources thereby ultimately leading to the drought proofing
of the affected areas.
ii. To promote overall economic development and improving the socio-economic condition of the
resource poor and disadvantaged sections inhabiting the programme areas through creation,
widening and equitable distribution of the resource base and increased employment opportunities.
iii.To provide employment to the people in drought prone areas
iv. To create productive assets.
v. 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 objectives of the programme are being addressed in general by taking up development
works through watershed approach for land development, water resource development and
afforestation/pasture development. The recent impact studies sponsored by the Ministry have revealed
that with the implementation of watershed projects under Drought Prone Areas Programme, the
overall productivity of land and the water table have increased and there has been a significant impact
in checking soil erosion by water and wind. The programme has also helped in overall economic
development in the project areas.