Karnal, July 1: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini presented a gift to the people of the state on Wednesday by virtually inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for seven major projects during a state-level ceremony held in Naraingarh (Ambala). Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated 325 Amrit Sarovars under the second phase of 'Mission Amrit Sarovar'. This includes 22 Amrit Sarovars from Karnal district—specifically 15 from the Assandh assembly constituency, 3 from the Gharaunda area, and 4 from the Indri area. A sum of approximately ?22.31 crore was spent on the development of these Amrit Sarovars.
At a district-level event held at the local Panchayat Bhawan, Zila Parishad CEO Amit Kumar and the concerned Block Development & Panchayat Officers ceremonially dedicated the district's 22 Amrit Sarovars. Present on the occasion were Zila Parishad Executive Engineer Pradeep Dhiman, Haryana Pond Authority member Tejendra Singh Teji, various SDOs, and village Sarpanchs.
It is worth noting that 'Mission Amrit Sarovar' was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24, 2022. 'Mission Amrit Sarovar 2.0' is an ambitious water conservation campaign by the Government of India, aimed at strengthening long-term water availability, climate resilience, and community participation. The government launched this second phase after successfully rejuvenating over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars—surpassing the initial target of 50,000 ponds set for the first phase. **Key Objectives and Guidelines of Amrit Sarovar 2.0:**
**Size of the Pond:** A water body with a minimum area of 1 acre (approx. 10,000 cubic meters capacity) in plains and a minimum of 0.25 acres (2,500 cubic meters capacity) in hilly or coastal areas is mandatory.
**Long-term Sustainability:** The primary focus of the second phase is not merely on constructing new ponds but on the maintenance of created water bodies and ensuring the continuous availability of water. **Climate Resilience:** To combat increasing drought and groundwater crises, these *Sarovars* (ponds) are being developed in harmony with the ecosystem's balance. **Technical Standards:** Strict guidelines have been implemented regarding water quality testing and the proper utilization of excavated soil.
**Public Participation and Livelihood:** **Formation of User Groups:** Special user groups, comprising members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), have been formed for the maintenance of each *Sarovar*. **Employment Opportunities:** These *Sarovars* will not only facilitate water harvesting but also serve as new sources of livelihood in rural areas through activities such as fisheries, duck rearing, water chestnut cultivation, and water-based tourism.
**Inauguration of Amrit Sarovars in these villages:**
Under Phase II of Mission Amrit Sarovar, 15 *Amrit Sarovars* were inaugurated in the Assandh Assembly constituency. These include *Sarovars* in the villages of Chochra, Dhupedi, Gangatehdi, Jaysinghpura, Jalmana, Padhana, Pangala, Popda, Thari, Uplana, and Chidav. Similarly, 3 *Amrit Sarovars* were inaugurated in the Gharaunda area (including Faridpur and Kohad villages), and 4 were inaugurated in the Indri area (including Bhadson, Gandhinagar, and Haibatpur villages). A total expenditure of approximately ?22.31 crore was incurred on the establishment of these *Amrit Sarovars*.