Read the passage and answer the questions:
Rural Development
Jhabua district is located in the westernmost agro-climatic zone in Madhya Pradesh. It is, in fact, one of the five most backward districts of the country. It is characterized by high concentration of tribal population (mostly Bhils). The people suffer due to poverty, which has been accentuated by the high rate of resource degradation, both forest and land. Watershed management programmes funded by both the Ministries of “Rural Development” and “Agriculture”, Government of India, have been successfully implemented in Jhabua district which has gone a long way in preventing land degradation and improving soil quality. Watershed management programmes acknowledge the linkage between land, water, and vegetation and attempt to improve livelihoods through natural resource management and community participation. In the past five years, the programmes funded by the Ministry of Rural Development alone (implemented by Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Watershed Management) has treated 20% of the total area under Jhabua district.
Which of the following ministry funds watershed management programmes?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Ministry of Rural Development
The watershed management programmes in Jhabua are funded by the Ministries of Rural Development and Agriculture, and those of the Ministry of Rural Development alone, run by the Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Watershed Management, treated 20 per cent of the district’s area in five years.
NCERT (2025-26): “A Case Study … Jhabua district is located in the westernmost agro-climatic zone in Madhya Pradesh. It is, in fact, one of the five most backward districts of the country. It is characterised by high concentration of tribal population (mostly Bhils). The people suffer due to poverty which has been accentuated by the high rate of resource degradation, both forest and land. The watershed management programmes funded by both the ministries of ‘Rural Development’ and ‘Agriculture’, Government of India, have been successfully implemented in Jhabua district which has gone a long way in preventing land degradation and improving soil quality. Watershed Management Programmes acknowledge the linkage between land, water and vegetation and attempts to improve livelihoods of people through natural resource management and community participation. In the past five years, the programmes funded by the Ministry of Rural Development alone (implemented by Rajiv Gandhi Mission for Watershed Management) has treated 20 per cent of the total area under Jhabua district.” |