Union Minister for Rural Development, and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, on November 11, 2025. The event is being organised as part of the National Watershed Conference, held from November 10–11, 2025, by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Shri Chouhan will arrive in Guntur to formally launch the Mahotsav on the second day of the conference.

The primary agenda of the national conference includes a review of the progress of the Watershed Development Component (WDC) under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (PMKSY 2.0) across states and Union Territories; deliberations with stakeholders on the future roadmap of watershed development beyond 2026; the launch of the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ to enhance public awareness and community participation; and the inauguration of ‘Mission Watershed Revitalisation’ — a drive aimed at restoring and maintaining assets created under previous watershed projects.

To foster ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (public participation), the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ will be celebrated across India at both the state and project levels. Activities under the Mahotsav will include recognition of winners of the Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025, inauguration of completed works, foundation laying of new projects, ‘shramdaan’ (voluntary labour), and tree plantation drives, among other participatory initiatives.

In addition, the Mission Watershed Revitalisation will be launched under the Mahotsav to provide renewed direction and momentum for the maintenance and repair of soil and water conservation structures created under the WDC–PMKSY 1.0 scheme. An effective mechanism is being established to undertake these activities through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme, utilising its funding support for on-ground execution.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will formally inaugurate the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ at 11 a.m. at the Loyola Public School Grounds, Nallapadu, Guntur, in the presence of senior dignitaries. The inaugural event will also be attended by Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, and Shri Konidela Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister and Nodal Minister of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Policymakers, representatives from related ministries and departments, scientists from research institutions, and delegates from reputed non-governmental organisations will also participate in the programme.

The Mahotsav represents a national initiative to promote sustainable water and soil conservation activities in rural India. The programme aims to showcase the achievements of watershed development under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and present the future roadmap for strengthening water security, improving rural livelihoods, and enhancing agricultural productivity through community-based watershed management.

Shri Chouhan’s visit underlines the government’s integrated approach towards ensuring water security, resilient agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Through the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’, the Ministry seeks to bring stakeholders together — government agencies, scientists, communities, and civil society — to collaborate in advancing the goals of natural resource management and climate-resilient rural development.

Following the inauguration of the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’, the Union Minister will also participate in other scheduled programmes. Shri Chouhan will meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu to discuss collaborative efforts in the areas of agricultural transformation and natural resource management. Subsequently, he will call on Minister of State for Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, at his residence in Kunchanapalli.

Background:

The Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC–PMKSY 2.0) is a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It focuses on the development of rainfed and degraded lands across all states and in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The major activities undertaken under the WDC–PMKSY 2.0 include:

1. Soil and moisture conservation works such as construction and renovation of check dams, village ponds, and farm ponds;
2. Rainwater harvesting and spring-shed development;
3. Establishment of nurseries, afforestation, and pasture development;
4. Livelihood support initiatives for landless households in watershed areas.

The programme aims to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving, and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetation, and water. It also seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and promote participatory natural resource management across rural India.

By launching the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ and ‘Mission Watershed Revitalisation’, the Government of India reaffirms its commitment to making watershed development a people-driven movement, strengthening India’s march towards climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable water management, and inclusive rural growth.

******

RC/AR

(Release ID: 2188449) Visitor Counter : 771