On 11 November 2025, the Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) along with Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, MoRD, launched the ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh (AP), marking a national celebration of community-led water rejuvenation, soil health enhancement, and sustainable rural transformation.
- During the event, they inaugurated the Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project as a model for participatory water management .
- The event was organised as part of the National Watershed Conference, held from 10-11 November 2025, by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), MoRD in collaboration with the Government of AP.
Exam Hints:
- What? Launch of ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ and inauguration of Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project
- Where? Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- By Whom? Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan & MoS Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
- Watershed Mahotsav:
- Aim: Strengthen Watershed Development Programme (WDP) for climate-resilient, water-secure rural economy.
- Budget Announcement: Rs 380 crore for rural roads in AP
- Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project:
- Implemented under: WDC–PMKSY
- Cost: Rs. 1.20 crore (pilot project).
About Watershed Mahotsav:
Objective: A national event organised to promote community-led water management and sustainable watershed development across rural India.
Aim: Seeks to strengthen the Watershed Development Programme (WDP) and foster a climate-resilient, water-secure rural economy.
Key Launches:
Digital Bhumi Poojan: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, MoRD, conducted the digital groundbreaking for new watershed works.
Project Lokarpan: MoS Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, MoRD, performed the Lokarpan (dedication) of completed watershed projects, showcasing the achievements of community-led water conservation efforts.
Mission Launch: Mission Watershed Punarutthaan introduced to rejuvenate degraded landscapes through participatory planning.
Award Felicitation: Winners of Watershed Jan Bhagidari Cup 2025 honoured for community-led water conservation efforts.
About Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project:
Objective: Aims to restore ecology, boost livelihoods, and promote community participation in sustainable resource management.
Implementation: Implemented under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC–PMKSY) by the Government of India.
Revival: Revived a 150-year-old, 21-acre water tank in Vengalayapalem village, Guntur Rural Mandal, AP.
Cost: Developed at a total cost of Rs.1.20 crore as a pilot project of the Watershed Mahotsav.
Highlights of National Watershed Conference 2025:
Objective: Focused on integrating innovation, technology, and community participation in WDC–PMKSY 3.0.
Rainfall Insight: India receives 75% of annual rainfall during the monsoon, highlighting the need for efficient water utilization.
Water Availability: Per capita water projected to decline from 1,486 Cubic metres (m³) in 2021 to 1,367 m³ in 2031.
Economic Impact: WDC–PMKSY Phase 1 generated Rs. 19,454 crore in annual farm income, which is 6.2 times the investment.
Phase 2 Coverage: Targets 50 lakh hectares across 1,220 projects with an outlay of Rs.12,972 crore.
About Andhra Pradesh(AP):
Chief Minister (CM)- Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor– Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer
National Park (NP) – Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) NP and Papikonda NP
