Amrit Sarovar Mission

• 09 Feb 2023

Why in News?

A target of 50,000 Amrit Sarovars was set to be completed by August 15, 2023. So far, 60% of the target has been achieved with over 30,000 Amrit Sarovars constructed in the span of 9 months.

What is the Amrit Sarovar Mission?

• About:
  • On April 24, 2022, Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched as part of India's "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" celebrations for the 75^th year of independence.
  • The mission aims to construct/rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars in each district across India to overcome the water crisis in rural areas.
• Major Features of Mission Amrit Sarovar:
  • Whole of the Government Approach:
    • Six central government Ministries are working together in conjunction with technical organisations like Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N) and state/union territory governments in a "Whole of Government" approach.
      • Six ministries are Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.
  • Jan Bhagidari:
    • It has been the core of this Mission and involves people’s participation at all levels.
    • States/UTs are leveraging the participation of freedom fighters, eldest members of the panchayat, family members of freedom fighters and martyrs, Padma Awardees, etc.
  • Innovative Measures:
    • The Ministries of Railways and Road Transport and Highways are using the excavated soil/silt for infrastructure projects near the Amrit Sarovar sites.
    • Also, Public and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) bodies are playing a significant role in the construction and rejuvenation of several Amrit Sarovars across India.
  • Boosting Rural Livelihood:
    • The completed Sarovars are boosting rural livelihoods by being used for activities such as irrigation, fisheries, duckery, cultivation of water chestnut and animal husbandry, among others.
      • These activities are carried out by different user groups linked to each Amrit Sarovar.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? (2016)

1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’.
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future.
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Source: PIB