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Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context – Class 12 Geography notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Geography, chapter 14. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Planning is the process of thinking about and preparing a programme of action to achieve goals. India adopted sectoral and regional planning through Five Year Plans; target area planning and hill area and drought-prone area programmes addressed regional imbalances. Sustainable development means development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The Indira Gandhi Canal command area in Rajasthan is an example of the need for sustainable development.

Planning in India

Sectoral planning focuses on sectors such as agriculture, industry and transport; regional planning aims to reduce regional disparities.
Target area planning includes the Command Area Development Programme, Hill Area Development Programme and Drought Prone Area Programme.
The Bharmaur region of Himachal Pradesh, home to the Gaddi tribe, is an example of integrated tribal development planning.

Sustainable development and the Indira Gandhi Canal

The concept was popularised by the Brundtland Commission report 'Our Common Future' (1987).
The Indira Gandhi Canal, originating at the Harike barrage in Punjab, irrigates parts of the Thar desert in Rajasthan; it increased agricultural production and greenery.
However, intensive irrigation caused waterlogging and soil salinity; measures for sustainability include adherence to water management policy, crop diversification towards less water-intensive crops, afforestation and shelterbelts, and land development.

Key terms

Planning: preparing a programme of action to achieve goals
Regional planning: planning to reduce disparities between regions
Target area planning: planning for specific backward or problem areas
Sustainable development: development that meets present needs without harming future generations
Command area: the area irrigated by a canal or project

Important questions with answers

What is target area planning?2 marks

Target area planning focuses development efforts on specific areas that are backward or face particular problems, such as hill areas, drought-prone areas, deserts and tribal areas, through programmes like the Hill Area Development Programme and Drought Prone Area Programme.

What are the effects of the Indira Gandhi Canal?3 marks

The canal has increased irrigated area, agricultural production of wheat, cotton and groundnut, and vegetation cover in the Thar desert, reducing soil erosion and improving incomes. However, it has also caused waterlogging and salinity, and the spread of some diseases.

Explain the measures for sustainable development in the Indira Gandhi Canal command area.5 marks

The Indira Gandhi Canal, one of India's largest canal systems, originates at the Harike barrage near the confluence of the Satluj and Beas in Punjab and runs into the Thar desert of Rajasthan. It has brought water to dry lands, increasing irrigated area, crop production and greenery. But intensive irrigation, excessive use of water and growing water-intensive crops have led to waterlogging and soil salinity, threatening long-term productivity. Several measures can promote sustainable development. First, strict implementation of water management policy is needed, with protective irrigation in the first stage and extensive irrigation of crops and pastures in the second stage. Second, the cropping pattern should shift from water-intensive crops such as rice to less water-intensive crops such as citrus fruits, gram and pulses. Third, command area development programmes, including lining of watercourses, land levelling and the warabandi system for equal distribution of canal water, should be implemented. Fourth, waterlogged and saline areas should be reclaimed. Fifth, afforestation, shelterbelt plantations and pasture development, especially in the fragile second stage, will check sand dune movement and protect the environment. Finally, poor farmers need financial and institutional support. These steps can make the region's development sustainable.

Quick revision

Sectoral and regional planning.
Target area programmes; Bharmaur.
Sustainable development; Brundtland report.
Indira Gandhi Canal: benefits, problems, measures.

Exam tips

Remember: Brundtland report 'Our Common Future' (1987).
List four measures for sustainable development in the Indira Gandhi Canal area.

Practice MCQs

Development that meets present needs without harming future generations is
1. rapid development
2. unplanned development
3. sustainable development
4. industrial development
Show answer
Answer: (c) sustainable development. It balances economy and environment.
The Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates parts of
1. Kerala
2. Rajasthan
3. Assam
4. Odisha
Show answer
Answer: (b) Rajasthan. It brings water to the Thar desert.
The Brundtland report was titled
1. Limits to Growth
2. Agenda 21
3. Silent Spring
4. Our Common Future
Show answer
Answer: (d) Our Common Future. It was published in 1987.
The Indira Gandhi Canal originates at the
1. Bhakra dam
2. Farakka barrage
3. Hirakud dam
4. Harike barrage
Show answer
Answer: (d) Harike barrage. It is in Punjab.
The Gaddi tribe lives in the
1. Sundarbans
2. Bastar region
3. Nilgiris
4. Bharmaur region of Himachal Pradesh
Show answer
Answer: (d) Bharmaur region of Himachal Pradesh. It was a tribal development area.
Programmes for specific backward areas are part of
1. sectoral planning
2. private planning
3. target area planning
4. colonial planning
Show answer
Answer: (c) target area planning. Examples include the Drought Prone Area Programme.
A major environmental problem in the Indira Gandhi Canal command area is
1. waterlogging and soil salinity
2. excess forest cover
3. glacial melting
4. coastal erosion
Show answer
Answer: (a) waterlogging and soil salinity. Intensive irrigation caused it.
Which measure promotes sustainability in the canal area
1. growing more water-intensive crops
2. removing all trees
3. shifting to less water-intensive crops and planting shelterbelts
4. increasing flood irrigation
Show answer
Answer: (c) shifting to less water-intensive crops and planting shelterbelts. Efficient water use is key.

All chapters of Class 12 Geography

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.