Mission Amrit Sarovar

• 25 Aug 2023

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Rural Development has provided insights into the advancements made in the implementation of Mission Amrit Sarovar, an initiative aimed at enhancing water security across various regions.

What is the Mission Amrit Sarovar?

• About:
  • On April 24, 2022, Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched as part of India's "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" celebrations for the 75th 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.
  • The target for these water bodies serves as a crucial step towards ensuring water sustainability at the local level.
  • Eight Central Ministries/Departments, including Dept. of Rural Development, Department of land resources, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Department of Water resources, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate changes, Ministry of Railway, Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways, actively contribute to the mission's execution.
  • Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Application and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) has been engaged as Technical partner for the Mission.
    • BISAG-N is an autonomous scientific society registered under the Societies Registration Act, of 1860. It comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  • Geospatial data and technology play a pivotal role in identifying and executing the construction and rejuvenation of Amrit Sarovar.
• Progress and Achievements:
  • So far, out of over 1 lakh identified Amrit Sarovars, the work has been started for over 81,000 Amrit Sarovars and a total of over 66,000 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed/ rejuvenated.
  • The national target of 50,000 Amrit Sarovars has been accomplished, demonstrating the dedication and efficacy of the mission.
• State-Specific Challenges and Advancements:
  • Several states have made commendable strides towards achieving the goal of 75 Amrit Sarovars per district.
  • While some states like West Bengal, Punjab, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Bihar, and Rajasthan are still working to meet this target, their determination remains unwavering.
• Bridging Resource Gaps:
  • Mission Amrit Sarovar leverages various existing schemes and financial grants to realize its objectives.
  • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana sub-schemes, and state-specific initiatives are channelled to mobilize resources for the mission's success.
• Empowering Local Participation:
  • The mission encourages citizen engagement and collaboration with non-governmental resources.
  • By fostering community involvement, the initiative seeks to harness additional support for the cause.
• Water Security through Collaboration:
  • The mission's collaborative nature, combining governmental departments, technical partners, and local communities, highlights its multi-faceted approach to water security.
  • The ultimate goal is to transform the water landscape, enhance livelihoods, and ensure water availability for generations to come.