National Watershed Conference begins in Guntur, focus on PMKSY 3.0

The National Watershed Conference began in Guntur on Monday, focusing on innovation, technology, and community participation under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC–PMKSY 3.0).

Organized by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), the two-day event brings together officials, researchers, and NGOs to discuss sustainable water and soil management practices.

Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani inaugurated the event, emphasizing the need for modern, community-led water conservation. He said PMKSY 3.0 aims to blend technology like GIS mapping and drones with local participation to make agriculture more climate-resilient.

A watershed refers to an area of land where all the rainwater drains into a common point such as a river, pond, or lake. Effective watershed development helps in capturing rainwater, improving groundwater levels, and preventing soil erosion ensuring water availability and greener landscapes, especially in drought-prone regions.

Launched in 2015, PMKSY has progressed from creating irrigation systems in its first phase to promoting integrated watershed management in later stages. The new PMKSY 3.0 phase will focus on reviving traditional water bodies, restoring rivers, and expanding the programme to all states and union territories.

The conference will continue till November 11, and its outcomes will guide the next phase of India’s sustainable water and soil conservation strategy.