A watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government is _________.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Haryali
Watershed management means saving and using the surface water and groundwater of an area wisely.
Option (1) Neeru Meeru — Incorrect. Neeru-Meeru (Water and You) is a programme of Andhra Pradesh. It builds water-harvesting structures through people’s participation.
Option (2) Arvary Pani Sansad — Incorrect. This is a people’s effort in Alwar, Rajasthan, which builds percolation tanks, johads and check dams.
Option (3) Jal Kranti Abhiyan — Incorrect. It was launched by the Government of India in 2015-16 to ensure water security, with one ‘Jal Gram’ in each district. It is not a watershed development project.
Option (4) Haryali — Correct. Haryali is a watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government. Gram Panchayats carry it out with people’s participation.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 20-05-2025 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 18-06-2023 (Slot 1), 24-05-2023 (Slot 2) and 22-05-2023 (Slot 2).
NCERT (2026-27): “The Central and State Governments have initiated many watershed development and management programmes in the country. Some of these are being implemented by nongovernmental organisations also. Haryali is a watershed development project sponsored by the Central Government which aims at enabling the rural population to conserve water for drinking, irrigation, fisheries and afforestation. The Project is being executed by Gram Panchayats with people’s participation.” |