Kolkata: Bengal is implementing 27 watershed projects under the centrally sponsored WDC-PMKSY 2.0 scheme across six western red laterite districts — Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, West Burdwan, West Midnapore, and Jhargram — directly benefiting 2,29,418 farmers over approximately 1.3 lakh hectares.The total project cost is Rs 350.6 crore — Rs 210.3 crore central share and Rs 140.2 crore state share. The state has received Rs 185.4 crore from the Centre and spent Rs 268.8 crore, or 77% of the total outlay.Under the scheme, 510 farm ponds, groundwater recharge structures, and water harvesting structures have been completed. A further 5,491 water harvesting structures, check dams, irrigation channels, and plantation works have been executed under the natural resource management component.Building on WDC-PMKSY 2.0, the state has proposed expanding to four additional districts — Alipurduar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and East Burdwan — under the upcoming WDC-PMKSY 3.0 phase.
