GS3 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): National Watershed Project | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (UPSC MAINS GS3 )

The project aims to fulfil the watershed component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMSKY) to reduce surface runoff of rainwater, increase groundwater levels and better water availability in rainfed areas. This will contribute to higher agricultural production even in water-stressed areas.
Impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production in water-stressed areas. 

• It was launched for achieving the major objectives of the Watershed Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY) and for ensuring access to irrigation to every farm (Har Khet Ko Pani) and efficient use of water (Per Drop More Crop) 
• It will bring about institutional changes in watershed and rainfed agricultural management practices in India. 
• It will help to build systems that ensure watershed programmes and rainfed irrigation management practices are better focused, and more coordinated, and have quantifiable results. 
• It will devise strategies for the sustainability of improved watershed. management practices in programme areas, even after the withdrawal of project support. 
• The watershed project will lead to reducing surface runoff of rainwater. 
• It will increase recharge of ground water. 
• It will result in better availability in rainfed areas resulting in incremental rainfed agriculture productivity. 
• It will also translate into enhanced milk yields. 
• It will increase cropping intensity in such areas through better convergence of related programmes in project areas. 
• Watershed development projects are area development programme and all people living in the project area will be benefitted. 
• Case study: Drought in India has had detrimental impact since many centuries and continues to be. Nearly 9 million farmers of Maharashtra were impacted by the drought in 2016. 
  • Drought situation arises due to inadequate and delayed rain as well as lack of arrangements to harvest rainwater. Paani Foundation is an NGO working towards making Maharashtra drought-free with Satyamev Jayate water cup. 
  • Water Cup is a competition between different villages, village that does maximum work for watershed management and water conservation wins. Water cup has brought forth a revolution by motivating thousands of volunteers to make Maharashtra a drought free state. 
  • One such village facing drought situation is Ambale in Purandar taluka. 

Conclusion 

However, despite these successes, a number of challenges remain for watershed development to achieve better outcomes, including enhanced participation of communities, building stronger capacities and systems to plan, implement, monitor and post-project sustainability of local institutions and assets. These challenges, if not resolved, can result in implementation delays, slow disbursements and benefits.

Topics Covered - National Watershed Project