UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

What are the benefits of implementing 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:

Explanation: 

• Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) is implemented by the Department of Land Resources of the Ministry of Rural Development. The main objective of IWMP is to restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water. It was amalgamated as the Watershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY) in 2015-16.

• • It also aims to improve the productive potential of rainfed/degraded land through integrated watershed management; to strengthen community-based local institutions for the promotion of livelihoods & watershed sustainability, and to improve the efficiency of watershed projects through cross-learning and incentive mechanisms.
    
    
  • Some key benefits of implementing the IWMP are: 
    • Controls Pollution
    • Identifies and Regulates Ecologically Hazardous Activities.
    • Essential for the successful management of land and water resources. 
      
      

• Prevent soil runoff

• Recharging the groundwater and also rainwater harvesting. 

• Regenerates and refurbishes natural vegetation. So, points 1, 3 and 4 are correct.  

• Linkage of the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers does not have anything to do with IWMP. So, point 2 is not correct. 
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer. 

Subject: Environment | Environmental Acts and Policies