Integrated wasteland development progamme was-started with Centres’ assistance in 1985-86. It was primarily meant for the conservation and preservation of culturable wastelands in India. But it also incorporated soil conservation, forest conservation, employment to the people, developing pastureland and giving a cropping pattern suitable to the soil, reclamation of soil and their nutrient management.
Thus it adopted an integrated approach in which, local people participation, conservation of soil and ecology, reclamation of the culturable wastelands, treatment of the wastelands and converting the non-culturable wastelands into pastures and forested area. Methods like soiltesting, use of chemicals and fertilizers, preventing hazards like blowing wind, encroaching seawater are also adopted.