Overview
The Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, is set to host a National Watershed Conference in Guntur from November 10-11, 2025. This conference aims to review the implementation progress of the Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (PMKSY 2.0) across all States and Union Territories. The event will also feature the launch of Watershed Mahotsav to promote public participation (Jan-Bhagidari) and Mission Watershed Punarutthan for the repair of existing watershed assets.
Key Developments
National Watershed Conference
- Date: November 10-11, 2025
- Location: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Objective: To review the progress of WDC-PMKSY 2.0 implementation.
- Future Planning: To discuss the approach for future watershed development schemes post-2026.
Watershed Mahotsav
- Purpose: To increase awareness and public participation (Jan-Bhagidari) in watershed development.
- Activities: Includes awarding winners of the Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025, inaugurating completed works (Lokarpan), initiating new projects (Bhumi Pujan), community labor (Shramdan), and plantation drives.
- Attendees: Union Minister Shri Shivaraj Singh Chouhan, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Shri Konidala Pawan Kalyan.
Mission Watershed Punarutthan
- Objective: To maintain and repair soil and water conservation structures created under the WDC - PMKSY 1.0 scheme.
- Funding: Utilizing funds from the MGNREGS scheme.
- Mechanism: Establishing an effective mechanism for undertaking repair works.
About the Scheme: WDC-PMKSY 2.0
The Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at developing rainfed and degraded lands. It is implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development. The scheme covers all States and the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
Major Activities
- Construction/rejuvenation of Check Dams, Village Tanks, and Farm Ponds.
- Rainwater harvesting and spring shed development.
- Nursery raising and plantation.
- Pasture development.
- Livelihood support for assetless persons.
UPSC Relevance
This news is relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, particularly under GS Paper 3 (Economy and Agriculture) and GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and Interventions). It highlights government initiatives for sustainable agriculture, rural development, and water resource management. Understanding the objectives and components of WDC-PMKSY 2.0, Watershed Mahotsav, and Mission Watershed Punarutthan is crucial for both prelims and mains examinations.
Important Facts
- The National Watershed Conference will review the progress of WDC-PMKSY 2.0.
- Watershed Mahotsav aims to promote Jan-Bhagidari.
- Mission Watershed Punarutthan focuses on repairing existing watershed assets.
- WDC-PMKSY 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- The scheme is implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR).
- MGNREGS funds will be used for Mission Watershed Punarutthan.