The Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) is a program focused on improving degraded and rainfed land across India. Recent evaluations show that past projects have been successful in raising groundwater levels and increasing farmers' incomes.
Here's a simplified explanation:
What is WDC-PMKSY? A government program that aims to improve degraded land through "watershed management" (managing land and water resources together).
What problems does it address?
- Water scarcity (lack of water).
- Soil erosion (loss of topsoil).
What activities are included in the program?
- Treating ridge areas (high points of land) to prevent soil erosion.
- Managing water flow through drainage lines.
- Using techniques to conserve soil and moisture (keep water in the soil).
- Collecting rainwater.
- Growing plants in nurseries.
- Developing pastureland for livestock.
- Creating ways for landless people to earn a living.
What new developments have happened recently?
- The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) has approved 56 new watershed development projects.
- These projects will cost ₹700 crores (approximately $84 million USD).
- They will cover about 2.8 lakh hectares (280,000 hectares or about 692,000 acres) of land in ten states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.
What are the expected benefits of these new projects?
- Increased income for farmers.
- Restoration of degraded land.
- Greater resilience to climate change.
- Improved water availability for farming and household use.
How will the projects be implemented?
- Each project will cover about 5,000 hectares (about 12,355 acres), although this may be smaller in hilly areas.
- The ₹700 crore budget will ensure the projects are completed effectively.
Key Terms/Acronyms:
- WDC-PMKSY: Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
- MoRD: Ministry of Rural Development.
- DoLR: Department of Land Resources.
Key Facts:
- ₹700 crores is about $84 million USD.
- 2.8 lakh hectares is 280,000 hectares.
What is the future of this program? The government wants to continue using WDC-PMKSY to improve rural areas, increase farmers' incomes, and protect the environment. Future projects will likely build on the successes of past projects and focus on helping communities adapt to climate change.
In simple terms: The Indian government is investing in projects to improve degraded land and help farmers. These projects will use various methods to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and increase agricultural productivity. The goal is to improve the livelihoods of rural communities and make them more resilient to climate change.