WDC PMKSY 2.0

The Department of Rural Development implemented watersheds through different programmes viz. Integrated Wastelands Development Programmes, Drought Prone Areas Programme and Desert Development programme.
The main objectives of the WDC PMKSY 2.0 are to restore the ecological 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, rainwater harvesting and re-charging 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 residing in the watershed area.The key features of this new unified approach are as follows :-
States would be empowered to sanction and oversee implementation of watersheds
Dedicated institutions and organizational structure at national, state level, district level for implementation of the programme
Additional funds are provided for creating dedicated institutions
The duration of the programme would be for 4 to 7 years and divided into phases
Livelihood orientation like productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship development emphasized by the programme
Cluster approach is followed and each cluster would consists of 1000 to 5000 hectares
Scientific planning based on the scientific information available from remote sensing will be used
Capacity building and training of all functionaries and stakeholders
Multi tier ridge to valley sequenced approach is followed