Drought Relief Zone
Full Form of DRZ
What is DRZ?
Drought Relief Zone (DRZ) is a designated area declared by state or central governments in India to prioritize resource allocation, financial aid, and disaster management during periods of severe drought. These zones are identified based on parameters such as low rainfall, depleted groundwater levels, crop failure, and water scarcity affecting both agriculture and daily life. The declaration mobilises coordinated relief measures including free food grains through the Public Distribution System, employment guarantees under MGNREGA, livestock fodder camps, and special drinking water supply schemes. DRZ status also triggers rapid assessment teams from the National Disaster Management Authority to evaluate damage and expedite compensation to farmers. The concept is operationally critical during the southwest monsoon failures in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and parts of central India. Temporary relief camps and tanker water supply are common features in extreme drought zones. Though the term is not codified in a single central law, it is widely used in government notifications, district disaster management plans, and budget allocations. For competitive exams like UPSC or state PCS, understanding DRZ alongside related frameworks like the Drought Prone Areas Programme and the National Action Plan on Climate Change is essential. This integrated approach underscores India’s evolving strategy to mitigate drought impacts through evidence-based zoning and timely intervention.
DRZ का फुल फॉर्म
सूखा राहत क्षेत्र
Example
The Karnataka government declared twelve taluks as Drought Relief Zones for the kharif season, enabling farmers to access immediate loan restructuring and free ration supplies.