Kanharpuri’s Amrit Sarovar Pond: A Success Story of Water Conservation and Community Effort
In the village of Kanharpuri, located in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district, a remarkable initiative has taken place to protect and rejuvenate water bodies. The villagers, embracing the spirit of self-governance, have transformed the Mura pond into the state’s largest Amrit Sarovar, spanning nine acres.
Addressing Water Depletion
Following a national survey that identified Dhamtari as one of the 150 districts in India prone to water depletion, the district administration took action. By deepening the Mura pond, its water retention capacity increased from 32,400 to 57,800 cubic meters, with the depth growing from 10 to 15 feet. This effort has recharged groundwater and revived 50 acres of land for agriculture, benefiting local farmers.
Community and Economic Benefits
The rejuvenated pond has become a vital resource for the villagers, aiding in livestock rearing and providing employment through the MGNERGA program. The project was supported by the South Eastern Central Railway (SECR), which extracted soil for a railway track, paying a royalty of Rs 12.20 lakhs to the Gram Panchayat. These funds will support further village development.
Future Prospects
The success of Kanharpuri’s Amrit Sarovar is part of a larger water conservation effort under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The state government has launched the Jal Jagar program, aiming to create 121 Amrit Sarovars in the district, with 102 already completed.
Doubts Revealed
Kanharpuri -: Kanharpuri is a village in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. It’s where the story of the Amrit Sarovar pond’s transformation took place.
Amrit Sarovar -: Amrit Sarovar means ‘Lake of Nectar’ in Hindi. It refers to a pond or water body that has been developed or improved for better water conservation.
Water Conservation -: Water conservation means using water wisely and not wasting it. It involves activities that help save water and protect water resources.
South Eastern Central Railway -: The South Eastern Central Railway is a part of Indian Railways. It helped support the project to improve the pond in Kanharpuri.
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He leads the government and supports projects like water conservation across the country.
Self-governance -: Self-governance means that the people in a community manage their own affairs and make decisions for themselves, like how the villagers worked together to improve the pond.