Meeting on NTG held

The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), the Knowledge Partner of the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, organized the Second National Level Consultation Meeting on the draft National Technical Guidelines (NTG) for Improved Watershed Management under the World Bank-assisted Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development (REWARD) Programme on 17–18 June 2026 at the NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.

The inaugural session was graced by Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary, Department of Land Resources, and Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, NRAA, along with senior officials from DoLR and NRAA.

CEO, NRAA recalled the previous discussion suggestion of first national level consultation of draft NTG-greater involvement of private sector, data driven approach, convergence, involvement of PRI, post project sustainability. Further, He emphasized integration of enabled applications with chatbots, use of technology-driven monitoring & evaluation systems, development of robust DSS and national web portal systems that can generate meaningful outcomes for future watershed programmes.

Joint Secretary (WM), DoLR, suggested to have deliberations on the use of drone technology for obtaining high resolution imagery for planning, adoption of LRI & Hydrology-Lite approaches, reforming the institutional and implementation mechanisms in States for effective watershed implementation and to explore the mechanisms for post-project maintenance and sustainability of watershed assets through the engagement of technical service providers, institutions/NGOs.(UPDATED ON 18TH JUNE 2026)