With the aim of promoting sustainable water management and soil conservation practices while fostering community participation in watershed development initiatives, a Watershed Yatra Campaign 2025 organised under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Watershed Development Component (WDC) 2.0 was held at Lelad Village under Saipung C&RD Block, East Jaintia Hills District which was attended by Sutnga-Saipung MLA, Smti. Santa Mary Shylla as Chief Guest in the presence of Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Shri Shivansh Awasthi, Official representing the Department of Land Resources under Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, Smti. Sharmistha Panigrahy, Divisional Soil and Water Conservation Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Shri F. Syiemiong, traditional heads, students, SHG members and others.
Sutnga-Saipung MLA, Smti. Santa Mary Shylla in her address to the gathering congratulated the beneficiaries of various watershed projects while alsoemphasizing on the importance of watershed management in the district inorder to meet the need and requirement of the people as water serves as the basic requirement of day to day life.
On the occasion, Smti. Shylla also underscored the importance of water and forest conservation even as she stressed on the significanceof extending such watershed projects to different parts of the district.
Further, she also emphasized to the gathering the commitment of both the state and the central governments to provide necessary supportto the people by way of schemes which include women empowerment schemes and others.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Shri Shivansh Awasthi in his speech during the programme underscored the importance of public awareness about watershed development programmes and schemes even as he said that watershed development is chosen as a unit for development due to its ability to manage water sources and catchment areas effectively. He also highlighted the need for coordination among different departments to ensure effective water management while also informing the gathering on the vision of the programme which includes forging Public-Private Partnership involving all stakeholders affected by watershed development activities.
Furthermore, Shri Awasthi while stating that the state is recorded as one which receivesthe highest amount of rainfall, yet it faces water scarcity due to inadequate groundwater availability which necessitates the need for watershed management. He also spoke on different schemes which form part of the efforts to address water scarcity. Watershed management approaches, including afforestation, are proposed to retain water in the watershed for longer periods, he added further.
Later in the programme, attendees of the programmeled by the Chief Guest participated in the tree plantation drive demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability. Watershed Committee members were felicitated on the occasion.
Other highlights of the event include a short skit performed by members of Upper Lytein Watershed and cultural dance by beneficiaries under Wah Tangnub Khapiaba Watershed which exhibited the rich cultural vibrancy of the area. Stalls showcasing fruits and vegetables locally produced by SHG members of the area were also put up during the programme. It may be mentioned that the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Watershed Development Component (WDC) 2.0focuses on sustainable water resource management, land conservation and improved irrigation efficiency to enhance agricultural productivity. By integrating agriculture, afforestation, and water management, the program aims to create climate-resilient ecosystems while supporting rural livelihoods.
