The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was celebrated with great enthusiasm on 17 June 2026 across 813 project areas under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC–PMKSY 2.0) throughout the country.

The Watershed Management Division, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, is implementing WDC–PMKSY 2.0 to promote soil and water conservation, restore degraded lands, and enhance the resilience of rainfed agriculture through sustainable watershed development interventions. Under the WDC PMKSY scheme, works like check dams, percolation tanks, and farm ponds are undertaken, which enable farmers in rainfed areas to undertake second or third crop, leading to higher income for farmers.

As part of the nationwide celebrations, a series of activities were organized in project areas to reinforce community participation and commitment towards combating land degradation and drought. These included:

• Bhoomi Poojan of 1,444 new watershed development works
• Lokarpan (inauguration) of 8,341 completed watershed assets
• Plantation of 51,299 saplings under the nationwide campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”
• Administration of a public pledge on the theme: “For a Developed India, Let Us Build a Drought-Free India.”

The observance witnessed active participation from local communities, Panchayati Raj Institutions, watershed committees, self-help groups, government officials, and other stakeholders.

The celebration aimed to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable land and water management, promote community-led conservation efforts, and strengthen collective action towards achieving a drought-resilient and environmentally sustainable future. It also reaffirmed the commitment of WDC–PMKSY 2.0 towards restoring degraded landscapes, improving water security, and enhancing livelihoods in rainfed regions across the country.

Through these initiatives, the Department of Land Resources continues to contribute significantly to the national goals of land restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development.

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