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Q56 (IAS/2014) Economy › Agriculture & Rural Economy › Irrigation and watershed Official Key

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.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The major outcomes of the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) include prevention of soil runoff, regeneration of natural vegetation, rainwater harvesting, and recharging of the groundwater table.[1] These benefits align with statements 1, 3, and 4 in the question.

However, statement 2 regarding "linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers" is not a benefit of IWDP. The IWDP has been implemented since 1989-90 for the development of watersheds/degraded lands[2] and focuses on harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and[1] water. The programme deals with watershed-level conservation and management, not interlinking of rivers, which is an entirely different concept.

Therefore, only statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct benefits of IWDP, making option C the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) > p. 54
  2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Desertification and Desert Development Programme > p. 50
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Q. What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'? 1. Prevention of soil runoff 2. Linking the cou…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 7.5/10 · 2.5/10
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This is a classic 'Definition vs. Scope' question. The examiner tests if you can distinguish between 'in-situ' conservation (Watershed Management) and 'ex-situ' mega-infrastructure (River Interlinking). Standard NCERT Geography definitions are sufficient to solve this without needing current affairs.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is prevention of soil runoff a stated objective or benefit of India's Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWDP)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Water Resources > Watershed Management > p. 47
Presence: 5/5
“Watershed management basically refers to efficient management and conservation of surface and groundwater resources. It involves prevention of runoff and storage and recharge of groundwater through various methods like percolation tanks, recharge wells, etc. However, in broad sense watershed management includes conservation, regeneration and judicious use of all resources – natural (like land, water, plants and animals) and human with in a watershed. Watershed management aims at bringing about balance between natural resources on the one hand and society on the other. The success of watershed development largely depends upon community participation. The Central and State Governments have initiated many watershed development and management programmes in the country.”
Why this source?
  • Defines watershed management as involving prevention of runoff and storage/recharge of groundwater.
  • Directly links prevention of runoff to watershed-management objectives and methods (percolation tanks, recharge wells).
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Desertification and Desert Development Programme > p. 50
Presence: 4/5
“The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was launched in 1973–74 to tackle the special problems faced by areas constantly affected by severe drought conditions, while the Desert Development Programme (DDP) was launched in 1977–78 to mitigate the adverse effects of desertification, the Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWDP) has been implemented since 1989–90 for the development of watersheds/degraded lands. The basis of implementation of all the three programmes has been shifted from sectoral to watershed from April 1995.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies IWDP as a programme implemented for development of watersheds/degraded lands since 1989–90.
  • By classifying IWDP as a watershed programme, it associates IWDP with standard watershed objectives (such as runoff prevention).
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 6: Soils > Table 6.7 > p. 27
Presence: 4/5
“Schemes and Projects by the Government to Control Land Degradation and Soil Improvement S.No. | Scheme/Project | Objective | Activities Undertaken • 1. | State Plan Schemes | Soil and water conservation in general areas | To reduce soil erosion hazards, land degradation, conservation of water | Terracing and reclamation, erosion control, water conservation & distribution, afforestation, farm ponds, cash/horticulture crops • Col1: ; Col2: Watershed management programme; Col3: Aims to treat the micro watershed on an integrated approach; Col4: Treatment of arable land, non arable land, drainage lines, afforestation, cash/horticulture crops”
Why this source?
  • Describes watershed management aims to treat micro-watersheds, including treatment of drainage lines and erosion control.
  • Explicitly lists activities aimed at reducing soil erosion and conserving water — measures that prevent soil runoff.
Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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