QUESTION 4
GS3
10 marks
Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain how watershed projects have raised farm output in dry areas.
ElaborateAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Approach: ridge-to-valley soil and water conservation, check dams, contour bunds, afforestation≈30 words
- 2Impact: groundwater recharge, more irrigated area, second crop, less erosion, livelihoods≈30 words
- 3Examples: Ralegan Siddhi, Hiware Bazar, IWMP / WDC-PMKSY≈30 words
- 4Limits: maintenance, equity for landless≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
ConceptImpact with dataExamplesLimitsConclusion
Where marks usually go
- No named success like Ralegan Siddhi or Hiware Bazar
- Ignoring equity issues
Draw this
- Ridge-to-valley sketch labelled: ridge (trenches, plantation), slope (contour bunds), drainage line (check dams), valley (farm ponds, wells)
Value addition
- ExampleHiware Bazar (Maharashtra) raised its water table and farm incomes through watershed work and community rules on borewells.Maharashtra Model Village records
- DataStudies by ICRISAT found watershed projects raised crop yields and cropping intensity in rain-fed areas.ICRISAT meta-analysis
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.