Leh, June 7: Advisor, Ladakh, Umang Narula held a meeting to review the implementation of ‘Mission Amrit Sarovar’ initiative which is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country.

This Mission has been launched as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, on April 24, 2022, and signifies the collective efforts required to rejuvenate the water bodies and conserve water for the future.

Advisor emphasized that a holistic survey with the assistance of experts and locals should be done to identify all existing and new Amrit Sarovar sites. Further, he added that the ponds can also serve a dual purpose as an ice rink for winter sports and instructed the officials to plan DPRs of such water bodies with this objective also. It was decided that a team of technical and administrative officials be constituted to examine both the technical and administrative feasibility of the action plans.

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During the meeting, the concerned officials apprised the Advisor that the target locations for 75 Amrit Sarovar sites have been identified by both districts and rejuvenation/development work shall begin in a week’s time. The Advisor directed DC, Kargil and DC, Leh to begin by June 15, 2022, and exhorted that a substantial number of Sarovars should be completed by August 15, 2022. He further added that the Mission Amrit Sarovar is to be completed in a planned manner by August 15, 2023.

The Commissioner/Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Saugat Biswas discussed the implementation strategy for the Sarovars, including the use of the latest and most relevant technologies; utilization of the Amrit Sarovar Portal to generate a list of potential sites on the basis of availability of wastelands and glacier water/rain water, topography; soil type/depth; geology, etc. He stated that if the district is unable to create as many new Amrit Sarovars (ponds), they may take up rejuvenation of the existing ponds for restoring their ecological and productive utility.

Concluding the meeting, the Advisor remarked that people’s participation is the key to the entire initiative and instructed the officials to ensure community participation at all levels for the execution of Amrit Sarovar under the Mission.

The meeting was also attended by Comm/Secy, PHE/I&FC Dept; DC Kargil/Leh; Director, Social & Tribal Welfare Dept; Director, Rural Development; Assistant Commissioner Development Leh/ Kargil; District Panchayat Officer Kargil/ Leh and Deputy Secretary, RD&PR dept.