Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today launched the national-level mass awareness campaign, "Watershed Yatra". The campaign aims to enhance public participation and create awareness about watershed development activities under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0). The event was conducted in a hybrid mode, with ministers from the central and state governments, senior officials, and representatives of Gram Panchayats actively participating.
This historic launch witnessed participation from approximately 800 Gram Panchayats and over one lakh people across various states and Union Territories, where respective ministers and officials simultaneously initiated the Yatra.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan underscored the significance of soil and water conservation, highlighting its necessity for present and future needs. He stressed the adoption of a community-driven approach and urged increased public participation for the effective implementation of WDC-PMKSY projects. Shri Chouhan stated that the Watershed Yatra will play a crucial role in promoting sustainable management of water resources, enhancing agricultural productivity, supporting livelihoods, and improving environmental conditions.
During the campaign, various activities will be conducted, including:
Bhoomi Poojan of new projects:
On this occasion, Shri Chouhan also announced the "Watershed - Janbhagidari Pratiyogita", a public participation competition to be held under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 in 2025 and 2026. The competition will follow the Public-Private-People Partnership (4P) model and evaluate government-funded and community-supported watershed projects at the state level.
Outstanding projects will receive an additional incentive of ₹20 lakh each.
Project evaluations for this competition will be conducted every April. Shri Chouhan emphasized that this initiative will not only accelerate departmental work but also encourage public involvement in constructing and maintaining water conservation structures through voluntary contributions. The main objective is to foster healthy competition, public awareness, and a sense of ownership among villagers to ensure long-term sustainability of water conservation efforts.
Key Features of the Watershed Yatra:
The Yatra will span 60 to 90 days, covering 805 projects across 6,673 Gram Panchayats (13,587 villages) in 26 states and 2 Union Territories.
Under the Watershed Panchayat initiative, experts will provide insights on sustainable soil and water management practices.
Over 8,000 individuals contributing to WDC-PMKSY implementation will be honored, further motivating watershed communities.
Youth Engagement through ‘MY Bharat’ Portal:
To enhance youth participation, a mega event has been launched on the 'MY Bharat' portal, aiming to engage young volunteers in activities such as Shramdaan and community-driven watershed projects. Additionally, the Department of Rural Development has developed a Learning Management System (LMS) on Watershed Development, now linked with the MY Bharat portal. Participating youth will receive certificates, motivating them to actively contribute to water conservation efforts.
