Geography of rural development

After Independence of India, the architect of Independence moved to reconstruct real India the rural Sector-and launched vari ous major programmes of rural development commencing with Community Development in 1950s to adoption of Integrated Rural Development in 1980s. The objective of transforming rural India has, however, not been fully achieved as most of these pro grammes, though well intentioned, did not prove dynamic and lacked co-operation and participation of affected people.

In the present book, Dr. R. B. Singh has attempted to examine the above premise to find solutions for the rural problems. The study is usefully supported by the micro-level experience of the author of SIWAN District of Bihar, a predominently agriculture-based rural society like most other parts of India. The study highlights (i) concept and theories of rural development, (ii) offers a review of integrated rural resource system, (iii) dis cusses existing potential and (iv) explores various resource management techniques and strategies for rural development. In nutshell, the ther, in the light of various develo grammes in general and IRD in particular has presented a scheme for a balanced comprehensive development em phasizing the local, physical and socio-eco nomic conditions and has made some pur poseful suggestions for promotion of rural employment and the removal of socio-eco nomic disparities.

This well researched work is not only a contribution on a challenging national task but provides an integrated new perspective in development studies and an excellent model for students of geography, economics, rural development and resource management as well as researchers, planners and decision makers in similar environs elsewhee.