Subject: Water Storage and Conservation

The NWP is a World Bank-assisted initiative that supports the watershed development component of India’s Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY).

Project Objectives

Strengthen Institutions – for better planning, implementation, and monitoring

Use Technology for Efficiency – using scientific tools like GIS, remote sensing etc

Improve Water & Soil Management

Support Rural Livelihoods

Positive Impact on Agricultural Production in Water-Stressed Areas

Improved Water Availability – Groundwater levels increased by 0.5-1.2 metres on average in treated watersheds (CWC evaluation).

Increase in Cropping Intensity

by 35-60% in many watershed districts (ICAR-NAAS study).

Higher Crop Yields – Yield increased by 25-40% in millets, 30-60% in pulses, 20-35% in oilseeds (NRSC 2021).

Diversification to High-Value Crops due to reliable water.

Reduced Soil Erosion by 40-60% – enhancing long-term soil productivity.

Growth in Livestock Productivity – Fodder production increased 3-5 times, boosting dairy income in dryland regions.

Improved Household Income by 27-45%, poverty reduced 12-20% in watershed villages. (World Bank)

Climate Resilience Strengthened – Enhanced capacity to withstand dry spells, delayed rainfall, and drought cycles.

Limitations

Uneven Implementation Across States

Delays in Planning & Fund Release

Weak Community Participation

Poor Post-Project Maintenance

Limited Integration With Micro-Irrigation

Fragmented Convergence With Schemes like MGNREGA, PMKSY

To scale its impact nationally, watershed programmes must be linked with micro-irrigation, FPOs, and market access.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a time-bound, mission-mode campaign launched in 2019 to promote water conservation, recharge, and water security in stressed districts.

Salient Features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA)

Targets blocks with critical or over-exploited groundwater across India, prioritising arid and semi-arid regions.

Five Key Intervention Areas

Water Conservation & Rainwater Harvesting

Renovation of Traditional & Existing Water Bodies

Reuse & Recharge of Borewells/Watershed Structures

Watershed Development

Intensive Afforestation

Convergence of Multiple Departments – Brings together Rural Development, Water Resources, Agriculture, Forest, Urban Development, Panchayati Raj under a unified water conservation plan.

Block-Level Water Conservation Plans and a scientific water budget for area-specific interventions.

Central nodal officers monitor implementation through field visits and performance reviews.

Jan Andolan – Engages panchayats, SHGs, NGOs, youth groups, schools, and citizens for mass awareness and behavioural change.

Integration With MGNREGA & PMKSY for creation of check-dams, percolation tanks, ponds, trenches, recharge pits etc.

Urban Water Conservation Measures (JSA – 2021 onwards)

Ensuring mandatory Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) as per Model Building By-Law (MBBL) 2016.

reuse of treated wastewater,

Setting Up RWH Cells in Urban Local Bodies

“Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls” campaign

Its integrated approach has strengthened water conservation practices and laid the groundwork for long-term water security.