In a significant step towards strengthening India’s water security and advancing sustainable rural development, the Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, today launched the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.

The programme marks a major milestone in the Government of India’s commitment to transforming water-stressed regions into water-secure, climate-resilient landscapes, in line with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who has consistently placed the North Eastern States at the centre of India’s development journey.

Launching Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN, the Minister underlined that water security is national security, and that the mission focuses on reviving traditional water bodies, restoring degraded lands, strengthening water harvesting systems, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods through community participation and convergence with schemes such as MGNREGA.

The future belongs to those who preserve their natural foundations, the minister said while stressing that  Watershed development is not just about water management — but about rebuilding the ecological backbone of rural India, creating livelihoods, and ensuring prosperity for generations to come.

“Nagaland, with its rich ecological and cultural heritage, stands at the forefront of community-led watershed management. The restoration of springs, renovation of water harvesting structures, and rejuvenation of land resources here is not just an environmental effort — it is a lifeline for future generations,” the Minister stated.

Nagaland stands as a powerful symbol of the human spirit and cultural resilience. Its rich traditions, diverse languages, vibrant music, intricate crafts, and celebrated festivals reflect a civilisation rooted in memory, dignity, and courage — yet open to the world with exceptional warmth. To experience Nagaland is to witness how its people preserve their identity with pride, while continuously celebrating life through unity, tradition, and an unwavering connection to their ancestral heritage.

For decades, the North East was viewed as peripheral to the national mainstream. Under the present vision of development, Nagaland is no longer seen as a distant frontier but as a central partner in India’s growth journey. With expanding connectivity, stronger infrastructure, and enhanced digital access, the State is steadily emerging as a hub for tourism, trade, agriculture, and cultural exchange — proving that its greatest strength lies in its deep-rooted heritage, empowered by new opportunities for the future.

Key Achievements in Nagaland under PMKSY & Watershed Development:

• 14 watershed projects approved in the State
• ₹140 crore sanctioned, of which ₹80 crore has already been released
• 555 water harvesting structures renovated
• Over 6,500 farmers benefitted
• 120 springs restored — crucial for hilly and tribal regions

The Minister highlighted that, unlike other States where project funding follows a 60:40 Centre–State ratio, North Eastern States, including Nagaland, receive 90% Central assistance, reflecting the Government’s special focus on accelerating development in the region.

He also emphasised that India, with only 4% of the world’s renewable freshwater but 18% of the global population, must prioritise systematic water conservation and efficient resource management. With current per capita water availability already below the water-stress benchmark, initiatives such as the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and watershed programmes have proven transformational — increasing farmers’ incomes, boosting groundwater levels, and enabling multiple crop cycles.

Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar commended the leadership of the Government of Nagaland, under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Neiphiu Rio, for its effective implementation and people-centric approach. He also appreciated the efforts of officials, including Dr. G. Hukugha Sema, IRS, and Shri G. Ikuto Zhimomi, for driving impactful change on the ground.

Calling for greater community participation through Jan Bhagidari, the Minister urged citizens to actively engage in the protection and sustainable use of water and land resources.

The event stands as a powerful example of the Centre and the State working together in the spirit of cooperative federalism to realise the Prime Minister’s vision of a Water Secure India.

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