Small watershed schemes key to rural prosperity-Birender Singh

The Minister for Rural Development Shri Birender Singh has called for small watershed schemes across the country to promote a variety of economic activities including agriculture. Delivering a keynote address here at a function titled Abhinav, the Minister said, effective implementation of the watershed schemes has the big potential to fight poverty and reduce the imbalances between the poor and the rich. He said, Centre and States should join hands to promote water conservation programmes in an honest fashion and address the credibility crisis, if any. Shri Singh stressed on development of rainfed areas which is the prime concern of the present Government and suggested for increased investments and use of advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems in watershed management. He urged to enhance community participation at every stage of project implementation and maintenance of assets created. The Minister emphasized on de-silting of water harvesting structures as preparations in advance for Monsoon 2015 in line with the Prime Ministers vision of Har Khet ko Pani.