The New Panchayati Raj System and Schemes

Abstract

Typical rural areas have a low population density
and small settlements. Agricultural areas are commonly rural,
though so are others such as forests. Different countries have
varying definitions of "rural" for statistical and administrative
purposes. Rural development is the process of improving the
quality of life and economic well-being of people living in
relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. Rural
development has traditionally centered on the exploitation of
land-intensive natural resources such as agriculture and
forestry.