Shillong, Sept 30: The Government of Meghalaya State in collaboration with Government of India is taking citizen-centric watershed development reforms closer to rural communities through ‘Reform Utsav’, with a focus on awareness, participation and community ownership.
The initiative is being integrated with the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) ‘Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas’, commencing on 2 October 2026 through Gram Sabhas. In the State Watershed development-related reforms and information will be disseminated in around 283 Villages covering 32 Watershed Development Projects.
Thereafter, ‘Reform Utsav’ activities are proposed on 12 locations at District and Project-level . To conserve soil, it’s essential to conserve water. Watershed development is about securing the soil, water – and building water-secure villages, resilient agriculture and prosperous farmers.
In drought prone/rainfed areas where farmers could earlier grow no crop, they can now grow one crop. Where they could earlier grow one crop, they are now able to grow two or more crops. This is helping improve farm production, farmers’ income and livelihood opportunities.
In the country, Around 3.4 crore hectares have been covered in last 12 years under watershed development programmes. Completed projects have demonstrated outcomes including up to 3 meters increase in groundwater levels, up to 30% expansion in cultivated area and up to 40% increase in milk production. Annual income of farmers in areas covered by completed watershed projects has increased by up to 70%.
In the State of Meghalaya, 5325.23 hectares have been covered under Soil and Moisture conservation activities, 7716.85 hectares have been covered under Plantation Horticulture and Afforestation.
The larger objective is to transform watershed development from a government programme into a Jan Andolan, with communities taking an active role in planning, implementation and stewardship of conserving soil and water.
Significant reforms have been undertaken under watershed development programme (WDC-PMKSY) during the last 12 years, such as, Better Provisions – Better Results: Now, under watershed development projects, more funds are available per hectare, so that soil, water resources and farms can be developed in a better manner.
In plain areas, the amount has been increased from ₹12,000 per hectare to ₹22,000. In hilly and difficult areas, the amount has been increased from ₹15,000 per hectare to ₹28,000.
This has enabled more soil and water conservation works to be taken up and implemented in a better manner in villages. As a result, water availability for agriculture has improved, enabling farmers to take second or third crop and thus leading to significant increase in farmers income.
Faster Work – Faster Results: Now, watershed development projects are being completed in a shorter period. The project period has been reduced from 7 years to 5 years.
This is directly benefiting farmers, Soil and water conservation works are being completed sooner. Water availability for agriculture has improved. Soil erosion has been reduced, and land productivity has improved. Farmers’ and rural families’ incomes have increased, bringing greater prosperity and well-being to their lives.
Enhancing Farmers’ Incomes through Improved Farm Implements, Quality Seeds and Saplings: Improved availability of water, enhanced soil moisture and restoration of degraded lands create the foundation for improving agricultural productivity.
To realize these benefits at the farm level, access to quality seeds, improved agricultural implements, crop diversification, horticulture, agroforestry and other location-specific interventions suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
Securing Water for Hilly Communities through Springshed Development in mountainous region: 411 springs rejuvenated with preliminary discharge data indicating up to three-fold increase in spring discharge and longer duration of water availability.
This has reduced water scarcity and drudgery, while improving water security and livelihood resilience in hilly and mountainous regions. Making watershed development a Jan Andolan: To promote greater Community participation, the Department launched the nationwide “Watershed Yatra” and “Watershed Mahotsav”.
These movements transformed the watershed development into a Jan-Andolan through Jan Bhagidari, which has secured the community’s participation not only for creation but also for maintenance of water harvesting structures in the long term.
Taking Reforms from File to Life The Department of Soil and Water Conservation has called upon the implementing agencies in District and Project level to activate their field-level machinery and ensure maximum
To make Drought Free India for Developed India @ 2047, we are taking watershed reforms to every village, involve every community and ensure that the benefits reach the people who need them most.
