India Launches Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN in Nagaland
Water Security is National Security: India Launches Mission PUNARUTTHAN in Nagaland
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New Delhi: The Ministry of Rural Development has launched Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN in Nagaland, marking a critical step toward strengthening India’s water security and advancing sustainable rural development in the Northeast. The State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.
Mission PUNARUTTHAN: Core Focus
The Minister emphasized that "Water Security is National Security" and described watershed development as a "Silent Revolution for Rural India". Mission PUNARUTTHAN is focused on:
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Reviving traditional water bodies.
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Restoring degraded lands.
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Strengthening water harvesting systems.
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Ensuring sustainable livelihoods through community participation and convergence with schemes like MGNREGA.
The initiative aims to transform water-stressed regions into water-secure and climate-resilient landscapes.
Key Achievements in Nagaland Under PMKSY
Nagaland has demonstrated significant progress under the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and the Watershed Development component:
| Achievement Area | Progress in Nagaland |
| Projects Approved | 14 watershed projects |
| Funding | ₹140 crore sanctioned; ₹80 crore already released |
| Water Structures | 555 water harvesting structures renovated |
| Spring Restoration | 120 springs restored (crucial for hilly regions) |
| Beneficiaries | Over 6,500 farmers benefitted |
A critical highlight of the Central Government's focus on the Northeast is the special funding pattern: unlike the standard 60:40 Centre–State ratio used in most states, North Eastern States like Nagaland receive 90% Central assistance for these projects.
The Need for Water Conservation
Dr. Pemmasani stressed the urgency for systematic water conservation, noting that India holds only 4% of the world’s renewable freshwater but supports 18% of the global population. Initiatives like PMKSY are vital for boosting groundwater levels, increasing farmers' incomes, and enabling multiple crop cycles, especially as per capita water availability dips below the water-stress benchmark.
The Minister called for Jan Bhagidari (community participation) to ensure the sustainable protection and use of land and water resources, recognizing Nagaland’s strong tradition of community-led natural resource management.