Desert Development Programme: Desert Development Programme was started in 1977 – 78 by the recommendation of Agriculture Commission. It was implemented in 235 development areas of 40 districts in 7 states. These states include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Rajasthan. In 85 development areas of 16 districts in Rajasthan, this program is operative. All the cost is borne by the central government. In 1995, this programme was included in watershed development programme.

Objectives of programme: 

1. To check the growth of desertification. 

2. To increase the productivity of local resources to increase the income and employment level of people.

Methods to reduce Desertification: This program emphasizes on those methods to stop desertification which are helpful in maintaining the stability of ecology, stability of sand dunes, and land and water conservation. 

The following methods are advised:

1. To apply security belts. 

2. Adopting water conservation techniques. 

3. Development of pastures for animal husbandry. 

4. Giving emphasis on tree plantation.

Hill Area Development Programme: In India, 17% out of the total area is hilly area, in which 11% of total Indian population resides.

Hill areas are of two types:

1. States which are completely mountainous. 

2. States which have partial mountainous area.

In the first category north eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are included. These are specific class of states whose most part of expenditure is borne by the central government. For the development of north eastern states, under the Parliament Act (1971), “North Eastern Council” was made.

Assam and West Bengal are included in the second category. Apart from this mountainous regions are also present in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Kerala. Although developing them is the responsibility of the state governments, yet the central government provides financial assistance to them separately.

Main development program for hilly regions includes gardening, plantation, animal husbandry, poultry, agriculture, forestry, soil conservation and rural industries. On the basis of package and cooperatives, it is promoted. For example, in forestry agroforestry, social forestry and orchard is promoted and arrangement for its marketing is done. To convert shifting agriculture into sustainable one and helping farmers of coffee and rubber to do sustainable farming are the other expected programmes.