Department of Land Resources under Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with Government of Andhra Pradesh is organising a National Watershed Conference from 10^th -11^th November 2025 at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The main agenda of the National Conference is to review the progress of Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) projects implementation in the States/UTs, Chintan on approach of future watershed development scheme to be implemented from 2026 onwards, with various stakeholders, launch of “Watershed Mahotsav” for increasing awareness and public participation and launch of “Mission Watershed Punarutthan” for repair of assets created under earlier watershed projects.

The launch of Watershed Mahotsav in a public meeting will be attended by Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivaraj Singh Chouhan along with Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development & Communications, Government of India and Shri Konidala Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister & Nodal Minister, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Watershed Mahotsav will be celebrated across the country at the State and individual watershed project level to promote “Jan-Bhagidari”. The activities under this Mahotsav include awarding the winners of Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025, Lokarpan of completed works, Bhumi Pujan for new works, Shramdan, plantation drives etc.

Mission Watershed Punarutthan will also be taken up under Watershed Mahotsav to give a new direction and momentum for maintenance, repair of soil and water conservation structures created under the WDC - PMKSY 1.0 scheme, effective mechanism is being put under place for taking up these works using funds from the MGNREGS scheme.

Policy makers, representatives from line Ministries/Departments, Scientists from research organizations, representatives from reputed NGOs are expected to participate in the two-day conference.

About the Scheme:

Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for development of rainfed & degraded lands which is being implemented by Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, in all States of the country and two UTs of J&K and Ladakh. The major activities undertaken, include soil and moisture conservation works like construction/rejuvenation of Check Dams, Village Tanks, Farm Ponds; rainwater harvesting, spring shed development, nursery raising, plantation, pasture development, livelihoods for assetless persons, etc.

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RC/ AR

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