Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Watershed Yatra
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan started the nationwide campaign “Watershed Yatra” on February 4, 2025. This initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage participation in watershed development activities as part of the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0). The goal of the campaign is to involve communities in soil and water conservation and to support sustainable management of natural resources, which will improve agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and environmental health throughout India.
Main Highlights of the Watershed Yatra Campaign
Launch and Participation
The event started in a hybrid format, enabling people from all over the country to join. Union Ministers of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Shri Kamlesh Paswan were present and spoke to the audience. More than 800 Gram Panchayats and over 100,000 individuals took part in the launch. Officials from different States and Union Territories also joined in person and kicked off the Yatra in their areas at the same time.
Objectives of the Campaign
- To raise awareness about the need for soil and water conservation and the significance of managing watersheds sustainably.
- To motivate community involvement in effectively carrying out WDC-PMKSY Projects.
- To promote a community-focused method for managing watersheds by engaging local participants in project efforts.
Significant Declarations by Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan
- Importance of Watershed Management: Highlighted the need for soil and water conservation for both current and future generations.
- Public Participation: Encouraged everyone to actively join the campaign to make WDC-PMKSY projects successful.
- Watershed-Community Model: The campaign seeks to promote teamwork through the “Public-Private-People Partnership (4Ps)” approach.
- Watershed Janbhagidari Competition: A contest under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 for 2025 and 2026 to honor outstanding watershed management practices.
- Projects that make significant contributions will earn an extra reward of Rs. 20 lakh each, with a total budget of Rs. 70.80 crore.