India’s ambitious initiative, Mission Amrit Sarovar, is emerging as a groundbreaking effort to address the nation’s pressing water challenges through structural restoration, community participation, and technological integration. Launched in April 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, this mission has been instrumental in constructing and rejuvenating water bodies to enhance water conservation and ensure sustainability.
With an initial target of building 50,000 Amrit Sarovars by August 15, 2023, the mission exceeded expectations, completing over 68,000 reservoirs by March 2025. This milestone marks a remarkable achievement in enhancing surface and groundwater availability, particularly in rural India. Over 46,000 of these water bodies were developed through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, underscoring the mission’s integration with existing rural development frameworks. Beyond addressing immediate water needs, these reservoirs represent the government’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods.
Mission Amrit Sarovar epitomizes the fusion of national pride, cultural reverence, and grassroots governance. Each reservoir, designed to hold at least 10,000 cubic meters of water with a pondage area of one acre, symbolizes not just a water resource but a socio-cultural hub. Many reservoirs are associated with national heroes and freedom fighters, creating a profound sense of ownership and respect among communities.
The initiative operates under the Ministry of Rural Development and collaborates with seven other ministries, including Jal Shakti, Panchayati Raj, Railways, Culture, Road Transport and Highways, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Support from the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics has further enabled real-time monitoring of progress through an online platform. This centralized system ensures transparency and fosters coordination between various stakeholders at the state and national levels.
Under this mission, Panchayats play a critical role in implementation and monitoring. Each Amrit Sarovar is overseen by two designated representatives at the village level—a citizen supervisor, often the Panchayat Pratinidhi, and a Panchayat-level officer tasked with reporting progress. User groups, comprising local communities, are formed to ensure the optimal use and maintenance of these reservoirs. These groups include water and sanitation committees, self-help groups, and specialized groups such as aquaculture practitioners, livestock owners, and water chestnut cultivators. Such collective ownership not only enhances resource management but also bolsters socio-economic benefits for marginalized communities.
The mission has also made innovative use of excavated soil and silt from construction sites. These materials have been deployed for infrastructure projects across various sectors, including railways and highways, reducing costs and reinforcing the mission’s ecological impact. By 2024, more than 785 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways projects and over 410 railway projects had been mapped to use materials from Amrit Sarovar sites.
The success of Mission Amrit Sarovar is visible in its measurable outcomes. Groundwater recharge from conservation efforts increased from 13.98 billion cubic meters in 2017 to 25.34 billion cubic meters in 2024. This dramatic improvement reflects the transformative role of reservoirs, ponds, and water structures in maintaining groundwater levels. Furthermore, the mission’s impact extends to rural livelihoods, as reservoirs are being utilized for irrigation, fisheries, duck farming, and water chestnut cultivation. These activities have created new income streams for local communities, while enhancing agricultural and livestock productivity.
The program’s state-level performance is equally notable. Uttar Pradesh leads the rankings with the completion of 16,630 Amrit Sarovars, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 5,839, Karnataka with 4,056, Rajasthan with 3,138, and Maharashtra with 3,055 reservoirs. Each state’s efforts illustrate the mission’s ability to inspire grassroots mobilization and inter-departmental cooperation.
The initiative’s community-driven model has fostered deep engagement at all levels. More than 65,000 user groups have been established to manage reservoirs, while nearly 23.5 million trees have been planted around water bodies, creating greener ecosystems. Neem, Peepal, and Banyan trees are among the most commonly planted species, reflecting the mission’s ecological ethos.
Mission Amrit Sarovar has also generated inspiring success stories. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a rejuvenated pond in Great Nicobar has provided irrigation and cattle-rearing benefits to 200 villagers, while a fish pond in Arunachal Pradesh has significantly boosted aquaculture revenues. In Bihar, the rejuvenation of Indpe Gadrahi Pokhar has transformed it into a thriving community space featuring boating facilities, solar lighting, and vibrant landscaping.
As Mission Amrit Sarovar enters its second phase, the focus remains on ensuring water availability, fostering climate resilience, and nurturing ecological balance. With over 3,100 additional sites already identified, this initiative continues to stand as a testament to India’s commitment to cooperative federalism, citizen empowerment, and sustainable development. By addressing immediate water challenges and laying the foundation for a water-abundant future, Mission Amrit Sarovar embodies a people-centric vision for national progress, serving as an inspiration for community-driven development globally.
