Country's first Amrit Sarovar inaugurated in UP

Published: 23rd May, 2022

Context

The country's first "Amrit Sarovar" has been inaugurated at Patwai in Rampur in Uttar Pradesh.

About

About India’s first 'Amrit Sarovar':

Amrit Sarovarin Rampur is basically one of 789 ponds which the Uttar Pradesh government will develop.
Cost: Nearly INR 60 lakh were spent in the creation of this water body.
Amrit Sarovars have the potential to play an important role in increasing the availability of water, both on surface and under-ground.

Water crisis

In rural India, 80 to 90% of drinking water needs are fulfilled by groundwater resources.
The groundwater levels declined by over 60% between 2007 and 2017, and of the extracted water, almost 90% is used in agriculture.
According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board, cities are home to 36% of India’s population but account for 70% of water pollution.

Mission Amrit Sarovar

The Government launched the Mission Amrit Sarovar in April 2022 to conserve water for the future.
Objective: Objective of Mission Amrit Sarovar is “construction/development of at least 75 Amrit Sarovar (ponds) in every district of the country”.
Each Amrit Sarovar will have pondage area of minimum of 1 acre (0.4 hectare) with water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic meter.
Participating agencies: Following Ministries and Organizations have agreed to participate:

CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS