In a pivotal development for India’s water security and sustainable rural growth, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, inaugurated the State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima. This initiative is a key component of the Indian government’s strategy to convert water-stressed areas into climate-resilient landscapes, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on Northeastern States. The Mission Watershed ‘Punarutthan’ aims to enhance water security, which the Minister articulates as a facet of national security, by revitalizing traditional water sources, restoring degraded lands, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods through community engagement and programs like MGNREGA.
The Minister emphasized that watershed development transcends mere water management; it is an effort to rebuild the ecological framework of rural India, fostering prosperity and sustainable livelihoods for future generations. He highlighted Nagaland’s role as a pioneer in community-driven watershed management, where efforts to restore springs and improve water infrastructure serve as critical lifelines for upcoming generations.
Nagaland is portrayed as a beacon of human resilience and cultural richness, with its diverse traditions, languages, and vibrant heritage, providing insight into how the community maintains its identity while embracing progress. Previously marginalized, the North East, particularly Nagaland, is now envisioned as a vital partner in India’s national development narrative, supported by enhanced connectivity and infrastructure, paving the way for growth in tourism, trade, and agriculture.
As part of the PMKSY initiative, 14 watershed projects have been approved in Nagaland with a budget of Rs 140 crore, of which Rs 80 crore has already been allocated, reinforcing the commitment to watershed development in the region.
