What are the benefits of imple- menting the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’?
- 1. Prevention of soil runoff
- 2. Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
- 3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
- 4. Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1 and 2 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
Statement 1 is correct: Prevention of soil runoff is a primary objective achieved through techniques like contour bunding, terracing, and afforestation within the watershed.
Statement 3 is correct: Rainwater harvesting (e.g., check dams, farm ponds) and recharging the groundwater table (e.g., percolation tanks) are crucial components of watershed development to improve water availability.
Statement 4 is correct: Regeneration of natural vegetation (tree plantation, grassland development) is essential for soil conservation, improving water infiltration, and biodiversity enhancement within the watershed.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers is a massive infrastructure project under the National River Linking Project, which is distinct from the decentralized, area-based approach of watershed development.
– Key goals include soil conservation, water harvesting, groundwater recharge, increasing vegetative cover, and improving agricultural productivity.
– It does not involve large-scale inter-basin transfer of water like river linking projects.