MISSION AMRIT SAROVAR
WHY IN NEWS?
- The Government of India recently announced that over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) have been constructed or rejuvenated under the Mission Amrit Sarovar as of March 2025.
- A national workshop was conducted in New Delhi (April 2025) by the Ministry of Rural Development to evaluate progress, reinforce technical standards, and plan future community-driven innovations.
- This initiative is now seen as a flagship mission for water conservation and community empowerment, under the larger umbrella of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
| Scheme | Mission Amrit Sarovar |
| Launch Date | 24th April 2022 |
| Launched By | PM Narendra Modi |
| Occasion | National Panchayati Raj Day |
| Location of Launch | Palli Gram Panchayat, Samba District, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Implementing Ministry | Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) |
| Supported by | 7 Ministries + BISAG-N + NIC |
| Target (Phase I) | 50,000 Sarovars by 15 August 2023 (Achieved) |
| Current Total (as of March 2025) | 68,000+ Amrit Sarovars Completed |
OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION
- Construct/Rejuvenate 75 ponds in every district of India.
- Revive traditional water bodies and promote water conservation.
- Enhance groundwater recharge and ensure climate resilience.
- Promote community participation (Jan Bhagidari) and local governance.
- Create productive rural assets using convergence of multiple schemes.
- Serve as socio-cultural hubs—many Sarovars named after freedom fighters, martyrs, or Padma awardees.
KEY TERMS
| Term | Meaning |
| Jan Bhagidari | Public participation in planning and execution |
| MGNREGS | Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme |
| BISAG-N | Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics |
| VWSC | Village Water and Sanitation Committee |
| Aquaculture | Cultivation of aquatic organisms like fish, water chestnut |
| Geo-tagging | Location-based tracking using GIS |
KEY FEATURES
Each Amrit Sarovar:
- Minimum area: 1 acre (~0.4 hectare)
- Water holding capacity: ~10,000 cubic metres
- Tree plantation mandatory (Neem, Peepal, Bargadh, native species)
- Signage board with scheme details and community contributions
Monitoring:
- Centralized digital platform: gov.in
- Real-time tracking using remote sensing and geospatial tech
- Over 79,000 Panchayat Pratinidhi and 92,000 Panchayat Officers engaged
INSTITUTIONAL CONVERGENCE
- MGNREGS (46,000+ Sarovars under it)
- 15th Finance Commission Grants
- PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC, Har Khet Ko Pani)
- State schemes, CSR, and public donations
ACHIEVEMENTS (AS OF MARCH 2025)
| Metric | Number |
| Total Sarovars Completed | 68,000+ |
| User Groups Formed | 65,285 |
| Trees Planted | 23.5 lakh+ |
| Top State: Uttar Pradesh | 16,630 Sarovars |
| Top 5 States | UP, MP, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra |
IMPACT & SIGNIFICANCE
Water Resource Management
- Groundwater Recharge:
- 2017: 13.98 BCM → 2024: 25.34 BCM
- Reflects impact of ponds, tanks, and water harvesting
- Boosts irrigation, livestock use, aquaculture, and climate resilience
Livelihoods & Employment
- Employment via MGNREGA and related rural development schemes
- Sarovars linked to aquaculture, duck farming, water chestnut cultivation, etc.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
- User Groups formed:
- SHGs, VWSCs, Fisherfolk, Lotus/Makhana cultivators, Duck rearers, Water users
- National Flag hoisting at each Sarovar on Republic/Independence Day
- Laying foundation stones by freedom fighters / martyrs’ families / Padma awardees
MISSION PHASES
Phase I (April 2022 – August 2023)
- Target: 50,000 Sarovars → Achieved early (May 2023: 59,492 completed)
Phase II (September 2023 – Ongoing)
- Focus: Water sustainability, Jan Bhagidari, ecological balance
- Sites identified: 3,182 (as of April 2025)
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