Source: IE
Context:
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare will inaugurate the Watershed Mahotsav in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, on November 11, 2025. The event highlights India’s focus on community-led watershed management, soil conservation, and sustainable water resource use to strengthen rural livelihoods.
About Watershed Mahotsav:
The Watershed Mahotsav is a national festival celebrating Jan Bhagidari (public participation) in watershed development. It aims to unite farmers, local communities, policymakers, and experts to promote holistic soil and water conservation practices across rainfed and drought-prone regions of India.
Origin:
- The initiative is part of the National Watershed Conference 2025, organised by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
- It aligns with the government’s broader vision of Mission Life and Sustainable Agriculture, promoting efficient natural resource management.
Objectives:
- Foster community ownership and participation in watershed management.
- Restore degraded ecosystems through integrated land and water resource management.
- Strengthen rural livelihoods and ensure water security for rainfed farming systems.
Key Features:
- Mission Watershed Revitalisation:
- Focus on repairing and rejuvenating old watershed structures to improve water retention and soil health.
- Integration with MGNREGA:
- Utilises MGNREGA funds for labour-intensive watershed and soil conservation works, ensuring sustainable rural employment.
- Community Initiatives:
- Activities include shramdaan (voluntary labour), tree plantation drives, and local-level competitions.
- Launch of the Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025 to recognise best-performing community watershed projects.
- Focus Areas:
- Rainfed area development, water harvesting, afforestation, and spring-shed rejuvenation in hilly and semi-arid zones.
- Promotion of climate-resilient agriculture through efficient water use and drought-proofing measures.
