Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches ‘Watershed Yatra’ to promote soil and water conservation

Union Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched a nationwide mass outreach campaign, Watershed Yatra, to raise awareness about watershed development activities under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0). The campaign, inaugurated in a hybrid mode, aims to encourage public participation and sustainable management of natural resources.

The launch event witnessed the presence of Union Ministers of State for Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Kamlesh Paswan, along with state ministers, senior officials, and stakeholders. The initiative saw participation from approximately 800 Gram Panchayats and over one lakh people across different states and union territories.

Highlighting the significance of soil and water conservation, Chouhan urged people to actively engage in the yatra to ensure the success of WDC-PMKSY. He emphasized that the campaign will not only boost community-driven approaches but also strengthen implementation at the grassroots level. Activities such as Bhoomi Poojan for new projects, inauguration of completed works, Watershed Mahotsavs, Watershed Panchayats, and recognition of Watershed Margdarshaks will be conducted to promote sustainable resource management.

Additionally, Chouhan announced the Watershed - Janbhagidari Pratiyogita for 2025 and 2026. Under this initiative, watershed projects demonstrating outstanding work through public participation will be evaluated at the state level, with top-performing projects receiving a reward of ₹20 lakh each. A total of ₹70.80 crore has been allocated for the competition, benefiting 177 projects annually.

The Watershed Yatra will span 60-90 days, covering 805 projects in 26 states and two UTs, reaching 13,587 villages. It will include expert discussions on soil and water management and honor 8,000 individuals contributing to watershed development. The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) has also introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) on watershed development, linked to the MY Bharat portal, where youth volunteers can engage in Shramdaan activities and receive certification.