Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Context
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCDD) was celebrated 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 of the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, is implementing WDC-PMKSY 2.0 (approved on 15 December 2021 for the period 2021-2026) to promote soil and water conservation, restore degraded lands, and enhance resilience of rainfed agriculture. Activities included Bhoomi Poojan of 1,444 new watershed development works, Lokarpan (inauguration) of 8,341 completed assets, plantation of 51,299 saplings under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, and a public pledge on the theme “For a Developed India, Let Us Build a Drought-Free India.
About WDC-PMKSY 2.0
- Approved on: 15 December 2021.
- Project period: 2021-2026 (5 years).
- Implementing ministry: Ministry of Rural Development.
- Implementing department: Department of Land Resources.
- Predecessor schemes:
- Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): Launched 2009-10.
- Merged with PMKSY as WDC-PMKSY: 2015-16.
Unit Cost Revisions Under WDC-PMKSY 2.0
| Area Type | Old Unit Cost | New Unit Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Plain areas | ₹12,000/ha | ₹22,000/ha |
| Difficult/LWE areas | ₹15,000/ha | ₹28,000/ha |
Key Features of WDC-PMKSY 2.0
- Saturation-based approach: Treats entire watersheds comprehensively.
- Springshed Rejuvenation: New component on NITI Aayog’s recommendation.
- Livelihood focus: 15 per cent of project cost for landless/assetless households.
- GIS and Remote Sensing: For better planning of projects.
- Convergence: With other Central and State schemes.
- Activities: Check dams, percolation tanks, farm ponds, contour bunding, gully plugs, springshed rejuvenation, plantations.
About “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” Campaign
- Launched: 5 June 2024 by PM Narendra Modi on World Environment Day.
- Meaning: “One Tree in the Name of Mother”.
- Aim: Plant trees in honour of mothers and environment.
- Target: 140 crore trees by March 2027.
- Coverage: All states and UTs.
- Convergence: With MGNREGA, CAMPA, Green India Mission.
About Desertification in India
- India’s land degradation: 97.85 million hectares = 29.77 per cent of total geographical area (TGA).
- Source: Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, 2021 by Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO.
- Major drivers:
- Vegetation degradation (about 28 per cent).
- Water erosion (10.98 per cent).
- Wind erosion (5.55 per cent).
- Salinity.
- Worst-affected states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
India’s International Commitments
UNCCD (1994)
- United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
- Adopted: 1994.
- Effective: December 1996.
- Sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
- India ratified: December 1996.
LDN Target (Land Degradation Neutrality)
- India committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 (announced at UNCCD COP14, September 2019, New Delhi).
Bonn Challenge
- India aims to restore 21 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
About PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana)
- Launched: 2015.
- Tagline: “Har Khet Ko Pani” (Water for Every Field).
- Aim: Expanding cultivable area under irrigation, improving water use efficiency, and adopting sustainable water conservation practices.
- Components:
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Watershed Development Component (WDC) by Ministry of Rural Development.
- Per Drop More Crop by Ministry of Agriculture.
About UNCCD
- Full name: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
- Adopted: 17 June 1994 (Paris).
- Effective: 26 December 1996.
- Headquartered: Bonn, Germany.
- Secretariat: UNCCD Secretariat.
- Executive Secretary: Ibrahim Thiaw (since 2019).
- Parties: 197 countries + EU.
- One of the 3 Rio Conventions (along with UNFCCC and CBD).
SDGs Linked to This Day
- SDG 1: No Poverty.
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality.
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
- SDG 8: Decent Work.
- SDG 13: Climate Action.
- SDG 15: Life on Land (with target 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030).
Other Indian Initiatives Related to Land Restoration
- Green India Mission (GIM): Under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- National Afforestation Programme (NAP): Forest restoration.
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
- National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026, consider the following statements:
- The day was observed on 17 June 2026 across 813 WDC-PMKSY 2.0 project areas in India.
- It is observed annually as per UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/49/115 of 1994.
- The 2026 day is themed “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” reflecting the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
- The day is led by the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the day is led by the Secretariat of UNCCD, NOT UNFCCC.)
Q2. With reference to WDC-PMKSY 2.0, consider the following statements:
- It was approved on 15 December 2021 for the period 2021-2026.
- The physical target is 49.50 lakh hectares with a central financial outlay of ₹8,134 crore.
- The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was launched in 2009-10 and merged with PMKSY in 2015-16.
- It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; WDC-PMKSY 2.0 is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, NOT Agriculture.)
Q3. With reference to land degradation in India, consider the following statements:
- Approximately 97.85 million hectares (29.77 per cent of total geographical area) of India’s land is degraded.
- The data comes from the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, 2021 by ISRO’s Space Applications Centre.
- Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka are among the most affected states.
- Vegetation degradation is a minor driver of land degradation in India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; vegetation degradation is a major driver (about 28 per cent), NOT minor.)
Q4. With reference to UNCCD and India’s commitments, consider the following statements:
- UNCCD was adopted in 1994 and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.
- India has committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- The commitment was announced at UNCCD COP14 in New Delhi in September 2019.
- UNCCD has only 50 country parties.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; UNCCD has 197 country parties + EU, NOT 50.)
Q5. With reference to PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana), consider the following statements:
- PMKSY was launched in 2015 with the tagline “Har Khet Ko Pani”.
- Its components include Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Har Khet Ko Pani, Watershed Development, and Per Drop More Crop.
- The Watershed Development Component is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
- PMKSY is implemented exclusively by the Ministry of Agriculture.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; PMKSY is implemented by multiple ministries (Jal Shakti, Rural Development, Agriculture), NOT exclusively by Agriculture.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because UNCCD (not UNFCCC) leads the day.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Ministry of Rural Development implements WDC-PMKSY 2.0.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because vegetation degradation is a major driver.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because UNCCD has 197 country parties + EU.
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because PMKSY is implemented by multiple ministries.
Exam Relevance
| NABARD Grade A | Very high importance, watershed development, rural credit |
