NOV 11: The ‘Watershed Mahotsav’ was launched in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, by Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, marking a nationwide celebration of community-led water rejuvenation and rural sustainability. The event also saw the inauguration of the Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project, hailed as a model for the Prime Minister’s vision of a water-secure India.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Chouhan praised Andhra Pradesh’s active participation in watershed initiatives and announced ₹380 crore for rural road projects in the state. He described service to farmers as a sacred duty, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to rural welfare and empowerment. The Minister also lauded Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar for his leadership in promoting rural transformation through water conservation and community participation.
The Mahotsav featured the launch of Mission Watershed Punarutthaan, digital inauguration of new watershed works, and recognition of community-led projects through the Watershed Janbhagidari Cup 2025. These initiatives aim to strengthen the Watershed Development Programme (WDP) and promote climate-resilient, participatory rural growth.
The Vengalayapalem Tank Rejuvenation Project, implemented under the Watershed Development Component of PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, integrates environmental restoration, local livelihoods, and participatory governance. The rejuvenated tank includes community-friendly spaces, plantations of 350 coconut trees, and recreational facilities—making it both ecologically and economically sustainable.
Dr. Chandrasekhar described the initiative as a “Rural Renaissance”, aligning with the government’s Mission Amrit Sarovar and Jal Shakti Abhiyan. The event concluded with a pledge to make water conservation a people’s movement, reinforcing India’s collective journey toward a self-reliant, water-secure future.