Tripura unveils a long-term water security strategy under the PMKSY Watershed Project, focusing on groundwater conservation, rainwater harvesting, sustainable infrastructure, and community development to ensure future-ready water management across the state.
Tripura is steadily emerging as a model state in sustainable water management, with the government unveiling a comprehensive long-term strategy to protect groundwater reserves and maximize rainwater harvesting through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Watershed Project.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to water security while chairing a high-level executive committee meeting at Pragna Bhavan. The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of PMKSY initiatives and outlining future plans aimed at ensuring water sustainability for coming generations.
According to the minister, Tripura’s groundwater situation remains stable and healthy compared to many other Indian states. He stressed that the government is not complacent and is taking proactive measures to prevent future water stress. “Our responsibility goes beyond the present. We must act today to safeguard water resources for future generations,” Nath said.
Drawing comparisons with other states, the minister pointed out that regions such as Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, which depend heavily on groundwater for agriculture and domestic use, are facing severe shortages due to rapidly declining water tables. Tripura, by contrast, currently utilizes only 9.7 percent of its available groundwater resources. This figure is significantly lower than Assam’s 15 percent and West Bengal’s 52 percent usage, highlighting Tripura’s comparatively sustainable water consumption pattern.
The PMKSY Watershed Project has played a key role in maintaining this balance. Under the scheme, the state government has focused on constructing watersheds, check dams, and ponds to retain rainwater and allow it to percolate into the soil. These efforts are complemented by large-scale afforestation drives aimed at improving soil moisture retention and reducing surface runoff.
Minister Nath announced that Phase 3.0 of the PMKSY Watershed Project is scheduled to begin after March, marking a significant expansion of ongoing conservation efforts. The upcoming phase is expected to cover additional vulnerable areas and introduce advanced water retention measures, further strengthening Tripura’s long-term water security framework.
Beyond agricultural and groundwater conservation, the state government is adopting an integrated development approach by planning the creation of water bodies along national highways. These water bodies will be developed alongside improved road connectivity, children’s parks, open-air gyms, and extensive tree plantations. Officials believe this multi-purpose strategy will not only aid water conservation but also enhance community well-being, promote eco-tourism, and improve overall quality of life.
“The objective is to make people self-reliant in water usage while creating green public spaces that benefit society as a whole,” the minister noted. He emphasized that sustainable water management must go hand in hand with social and environmental development.
To ensure timely implementation, officials have been directed to utilize the remaining PMKSY funds by January 15. The state aims to meet all financial and administrative benchmarks, enabling Tripura to secure additional allocations from the central government for future projects. Timely fund utilization, officials said, is critical to maintaining the momentum of ongoing initiatives.
The executive committee meeting witnessed participation from senior state officials and representatives from all eight districts of Tripura, reflecting a coordinated, statewide approach to water conservation. District-level authorities were urged to monitor project execution closely and ensure transparency and efficiency in implementation.
Reiterating the government’s long-term vision, Minister Nath said that sustainable water management is not merely an infrastructure challenge but a collective responsibility. Public awareness, community participation, and scientific planning will remain central to the state’s strategy.
| Also Read: Tripura signs landmark MoU to Map Cultivable Land Scientifically |
With climate change increasing the unpredictability of rainfall patterns across India, Tripura’s forward-looking approach under the PMKSY Watershed Project positions the state as an example of proactive governance. By prioritizing rainwater harvesting, groundwater conservation, and integrated development, the government aims to ensure that Tripura remains water-secure, environmentally resilient, and economically sustainable in the years to come.
