Q. What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’?

  1. Prevention of soil runoff
  2. Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
  3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
  4. Regeneration of natural vegetation

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2, 3 and 4 only
  • 1, 3 and 4 only
  • 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)
  • The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), one of the Flagship programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development is under implementation by the Department of Land Resources since 2009-10 after integrating three area development programmes namely
    • Desert Development Programme (DDP)
    • Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP)
    • Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP)
  • The main objectives of the IWMP are to restore the ecology balance by harnessing conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water.
  • The outcomes are prevention of soil run off, regeneration of natural vegetation rain water harvesting and recharging of ground water table.
    • This enables multi-cropping and the introduction of diverse agro based activities, which help to provide sustainable, livelihoods to the people.
  • The program is being implemented in all the states of the country and is financed by the central and state governments in the ratio of 90:10.
  • In 2015, the IWMP along with On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) scheme and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was subsumed into Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
  • Integrated Watershed Development Programme does not aim to link the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers.