Daily Current Affairs : 18-January-2025
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has approved 56 new Watershed Development Projects across 10 high-performing states with a budget of Rs. 700 crore. This initiative is aimed at improving water management and land use practices in rural areas.
The Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY)
Watershed management has been a key focus of the Indian government for several years. The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was first launched in 2009-10. Later, in 2015-16, IWMP merged with the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), forming the Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY).
The government is continuing this effort through WDC-PMKSY 2.0 for the period 2021-2026. With a target of covering 49.50 lakh hectares and a budget of Rs. 8,134 crore, the project will be implemented in states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is a geographical area that collects and channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or reservoir. Watershed development refers to the management and conservation of water resources within this defined area, aimed at improving water availability and promoting sustainable land use.
Significance of Watershed Development
Watershed development has several key benefits for rural areas:
- Improved Water Availability:
- Focuses on enhancing groundwater recharge through rainwater harvesting.
- Increases surface water storage capacity through ponds, check dams, and other structures.
- Successful World Bank projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka have improved water availability in arid zones, lowlands, and higher elevations.
- Sustainable Agriculture:
- Helps curb soil erosion and improves soil fertility, essential for healthy agricultural ecosystems.
- Promotes long-term agricultural productivity.
- Economic Upliftment:
- Creates livelihoods through activities such as afforestation, fisheries, water harvesting, and agro-based industries.
- Provides sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
- Resilience to Climate Variability:
- Climate change has made rainfall patterns more unpredictable, causing erratic floods and droughts.
- Watershed development helps build resilience against these challenges by improving water management and land use practices.
Important Points
- 56 new Watershed Development Projects approved by MoRD across 10 high-performing states with a budget of Rs. 700 crore.
- WDC-PMKSY (Watershed Development Component of PMKSY):
- Launched in 2009-10 as the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP).
- Merged with PMKSY in 2015-16.
- Continued as WDC-PMKSY 2.0 (2021-2026) with a target of covering 49.50 lakh hectares and a budget of Rs. 8,134 crore.
- Implemented in 10 states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
- Watershed: An area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common body of water, such as a river or reservoir.
- Significance of Watershed Development:
- Improved Water Availability:
- Focuses on groundwater recharge and surface water storage through ponds and check dams.
- Successful projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka have improved water availability.
- Sustainable Agriculture:
- Helps reduce soil erosion and enhance soil fertility for healthy agricultural ecosystems.
- Economic Upliftment:
- Creates livelihood opportunities through activities like afforestation, fisheries, and water harvesting.
- Resilience to Climate Variability:
- Builds resilience against erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts caused by climate change.
- Improved Water Availability:
Why In News
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has approved 56 new Watershed Development Projects across 10 high-performing states, with a budget of Rs. 700 crore, aiming to enhance water conservation, soil fertility, and agricultural sustainability in rural regions.
MCQs about Watershed Development Projects in India
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What is the primary objective of the 56 new Watershed Development Projects approved by the Ministry of Rural Development?
A. To improve agricultural productivity in urban areas
B. To enhance water conservation, soil fertility, and sustainable land use in rural areas
C. To provide electricity to remote villages
D. To build roads and bridges in rural regions
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In which year was the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) launched?
A. 2015-16
B. 2009-10
C. 2021-26
D. 2010-11
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Which of the following states is NOT part of the 10 high-performing states where WDC-PMKSY 2.0 will be implemented?
A. Rajasthan
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Uttarakhand
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What role does watershed development play in addressing climate change?
A. It helps in reducing carbon emissions
B. It improves water management to build resilience against erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts
C. It prevents deforestation
D. It provides alternative energy sources
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