Soil Conservation department minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma inaugurated the Watershed Yatra Campaign, 2025 at Bhumi Sangrakshan Bhawan.
Watershed Yatra:
- Organized under Watershed Development Component (WDC) of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY 2.0).
- Hybrid mode launch, with participation from 800 Gram Panchayats & over 1 lakh people.
Key Features
- Focus on soil & water conservation for sustainable resource management.
- Activities include:
- Lokarpan (inauguration) of completed projects
- Watershed Mahotsav & Watershed ki Panchayat
- Awards & recognition to Watershed Margdarshaks
- Bhumi-Jal Pitch & Shramdaan (voluntary labor)
Highlights in Assam:
- Watershed VAN (sponsored by DoLR) flagged off.
- Equipped with LED displays, interactive boards, banners, and modules.
- Offers VR/AI experience for a virtual tour of watershed structures.
- Will travel across states where WDC-PMKSY 2.0 projects are implemented.
- Pre-launch phase successfully conducted in 30 districts of Assam.
- Projects under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 already executed.
Watershed – Janbhagidari Pratiyogita (2025-26)
- Aims to incentivize outstanding watershed projects through Public-Private-People Partnership (4Ps).
- Top projects (177 per year) to receive ₹20 lakh reward per project.
- ₹70.80 crore allocated for competition.
- Evaluations to be conducted in April
Implementation Strategy
- Van Movement for 60-90 days across 26 States & 2 UTs.
- Covers 805 projects, 6673 GPs, and 13,587 villages.
- 8,000 individuals involved in watershed projects to be honored.
Youth Engagement & Digital Integration
- Learning Management System (LMS) on Watershed Development hosted on DoLR’s website & linked to MY Bharat portal.
- Certificates for youth participation in Shramdaan activities.
- Mega event on MY Bharat Portal to mobilize youth volunteers.
Significance
- Promotes community-driven approach in natural resource management.
- Enhances agriculture productivity, livelihoods, & environmental sustainability.
- Strengthens grassroots participation & capacity building for watershed development.
This initiative aligns with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in water conservation & rural development.
