State-Level Watershed Festival Launched in Rajasthan — Minister Madan Dilawar

Jaipur, Nov 2025 : Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar said that in many parts of the state, groundwater levels have drastically declined, soil moisture has diminished, vegetation is unable to grow, and continuous soil erosion has reduced land fertility. To address these conditions, it is necessary to collect rainwater and enhance groundwater recharge through watershed development. Alongside, activities such as planting trees to prevent soil erosion and reviving rivers, ponds, and traditional water bodies must be carried out under Mission Watershed.

The state-level Watershed Festival and Mission Jal Grahan Punrutthan (Water Conservation Revival Mission) were inaugurated today at Undwa village in Khairabad Panchayat Samiti, Kota district with these objectives in focus.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Minister Dilawar said that similar awareness programs will be organized across all 159 watershed development projects in the state to educate people about the importance of watershed management. He said that reviving water sources will raise groundwater levels, increase soil moisture, promote greenery, and improve fodder availability for livestock, thereby transforming the state’s landscape.

He urged citizens to actively participate in the Mission Jal Grahan Punrutthan and Watershed Festival.

“Remove Juliflora, Save Grazing Land” Campaign

Minister Dilawar said that the invasive Prosopis Juliflora (Vilayati Babool) has destroyed over 500 species of native vegetation in the state. Due to its deep roots, each tree absorbs up to 30 liters of water daily, drastically reducing groundwater levels. He added that the toxic gases released by Juliflora spread diseases and render the soil infertile.

To counter this, the government has launched a ‘Remove Juliflora, Save Grazing Land’ campaign, urging panchayats to uproot and completely eradicate Juliflora using their local funds. He emphasized that areas cleared of Juliflora will be redeveloped into green grazing pastures.

Revival of Rivers and Water Bodies

Highlighting ongoing initiatives, the minister said that under the river and pond rejuvenation campaign, the ancient Patli River in Ramganjmandi area has been revived. This river now provides irrigation for over 50,000 bighas of farmland. Rajasthan, he noted, is the first state to establish native seed banks to promote indigenous vegetation. On this occasion, he also launched a mobile seed bank module to monitor the activities of these seed banks.

Support for Villages and Anti-Corruption Drive

Dilawar stated that the state government provides ₹1 lakh per month to each panchayat to maintain cleanliness, and up to ₹5 lakh for larger villages. He urged that every village ensure daily cleaning and door-to-door waste collection. He further warned that those involved in corruption in government work will face strict action, while honest officers and employees will be encouraged and rewarded.

National Watershed Awards and PMKSY-2.0 Projects

Director of Watershed Development and Soil Conservation, Mohammad Junaid, shared that under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) 2.0, the Government of India has sanctioned projects worth ₹2,000 crore nationwide, including ₹11 crore for Khairabad Panchayat Samiti.

At the event, the Government of India distributed ₹20 lakh awards to 15 winning watershed projects from various districts including Udaipur, Rajsamand, Phalodi, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Jhalawar, and Jhunjhunu for their exceptional performance and community participation.

Before the ceremony, Minister Dilawar also laid foundation stones for several watershed structures, including anicuts, check dams, and percolation tanks, costing over ₹80 lakh in total. He planted saplings and inaugurated a watershed development exhibition, and released a booklet featuring success stories from watershed projects.

Workshops, Public Awareness & Participation

Additional Director Anand Singh presented details about the Watershed Festival, noting that from November 4 to December 16, public awareness activities will be held under Mission Watershed Revival to connect communities with water conservation initiatives across 159 ongoing projects.

A social media competition will also be held — winners of the best reels and photographs on watershed themes will receive ₹50,000 and ₹1,000 prizes, respectively.

The event began with the national song Vande Mataram and concluded with the national anthem. All attendees observed a two-minute silence for those who lost their lives in the recent terrorist incident in Delhi.

Before the official ceremony, Minister Dilawar also participated in a ‘Shramdaan’ (voluntary labor) walk for 3.5 km from Undwa to a mini percolation tank site under PMKSY-2.0, accompanied by local residents, watershed officials, and public representatives.