Over 68,000 Water Bodies Developed Under Mission Amrit Sarovar:

More than 68,000 water bodies have been constructed or rejuvenated under the Government of India’s Mission Amrit Sarovar initiative, as shared by Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan in a written statement to the Lok Sabha. Launched in 2022, the mission aims to build or restore 75 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) in each district, with a nationwide target of 50,000 water bodies. However, the program has exceeded expectations by rejuvenating over 68,000 sarovars to date.

Among the states, Uttar Pradesh leads with 16,630 completed Amrit Sarovars, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 5,839, Karnataka with 4,056, and Rajasthan with 3,138. The initiative has played a vital role in addressing water scarcity and enhancing both surface and groundwater availability across multiple regions of the country.

The implementation of Mission Amrit Sarovar is being carried out in convergence with several existing government schemes. These include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), 15th Finance Commission Grants, and sub-schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojna, such as the Watershed Development Component and Har Khet ko Pani. In addition, individual states are contributing through their own programs.

Public participation is also a significant part of the mission. Citizens are encouraged to contribute through crowdfunding, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, material donations, or volunteering efforts. Paswan highlighted that the second phase of the mission will emphasize ensuring sustainable water availability with stronger community involvement. This phase aims to enhance climate resilience, promote ecological balance, and deliver enduring benefits to future generations.