On November 11, 2025, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the 'Watershed Mahotsav' — a national festival celebrating community participation in sustainable watershed management — in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, as part of the two-day National Watershed Conference (November 10–11, 2025) organised by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development. The Watershed Mahotsav recognised achievements under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) — Watershed Development Component (WDC), under which 9,434 projects in 92.02 lakh hectares have been taken up since 2016-17. The event also saw the launch of 'Mission Watershed Revitalisation' — a new initiative to maintain and repair soil and water conservation structures created under WDC–PMKSY 1.0, with MGNREGA being the primary implementation vehicle. Winners of the Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025 were recognised, honouring communities, panchayats, and SHGs that demonstrated exemplary watershed management practices. The Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project in Andhra Pradesh was also inaugurated. Rajasthan, one of the most water-scarce states in India, is a critical beneficiary of PMKSY-WDC, with watershed development programmes in its arid and semi-arid districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Pali, and Ajmer playing a decisive role in rural livelihood security.
Watershed Mahotsav 2025: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Inaugurates National Water-Soil Conservation Festival in Guntur
On November 11, 2025, Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the 'Watershed Mahotsav' — a national festival celebrating community participation in sustainable watershed management — in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, as part of the two-day National Watershed Conference (November 10–11, 2025) organised by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development. The Watershed Mahotsav recognised achievements under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) — Watershed Development Component (WDC), under which 9,434 projects in 92.02 lakh hectares have been taken up since 2016-17. The event also saw the launch of 'Mission Watershed Revitalisation' — a new initiative to maintain and repair soil and water conservation structures created under WDC–PMKSY 1.0, with MGNREGA being the primary implementation vehicle. Winners of the Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025 were recognised, honouring communities, panchayats, and SHGs that demonstrated exemplary watershed management practices. The Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project in Andhra Pradesh was also inaugurated. Rajasthan, one of the most water-scarce states in India, is a critical beneficiary of PMKSY-WDC, with watershed development programmes in its arid and semi-arid districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Pali, and Ajmer playing a decisive role in rural livelihood security.
Key facts
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Watershed Mahotsav 2025 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
- Event part of National Watershed Conference (November 10–11, 2025) by Department of Land Resources.
- PMKSY-WDC has treated over 76 lakh hectares of degraded land across India.
- Mission Watershed Revitalisation launched to maintain WDC structures using MGNREGA.
- Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025 awarded to communities demonstrating exemplary watershed management.
- Rajasthan's arid districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Nagaur are key PMKSY-WDC beneficiaries.
Mains angle
Q: Evaluate the role of PMKSY's Watershed Development Component and the newly launched Mission Watershed Revitalisation in addressing land degradation, highlighting Rajasthan's stake in arid-district watershed programmes.
Answer (50 words):
On 11 November 2025, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Watershed Mahotsav at Guntur, noting that 9,434 PMKSY-WDC projects in 92.02 lakh hectares have been taken up since 2016-17. Mission Watershed Revitalisation, using MGNREGA, maintains earlier structures. Rajasthan's arid districts — Barmer, Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Pali, Ajmer — benefit critically, reinforcing rural livelihood security.
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Frequently asked questions
Where and when was the Watershed Mahotsav 2025 held, and who inaugurated it?
The Watershed Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on November 11, 2025. It was part of the two-day National Watershed Conference (November 10–11, 2025) organised by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development.
What is PMKSY-WDC and what area of degraded land has it treated so far?
PMKSY-WDC refers to the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana — Watershed Development Component. It has treated over 76 lakh hectares of degraded land across India, making it a key government scheme for land and water conservation.
What is Mission Watershed Revitalisation and how does it relate to MGNREGA?
Mission Watershed Revitalisation is a programme launched to maintain and repair Watershed Development Component (WDC) structures. It uses MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) as a funding and implementation mechanism for upkeeping these conservation structures.
Which Rajasthan districts benefit from PMKSY-WDC, and why is this relevant for RPSC exams?
The arid districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Nagaur in Rajasthan are key beneficiaries of PMKSY-WDC. This is significant for RPSC exams as it links national watershed policy directly to Rajasthan's land and water management challenges.
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