Why in News?

=> Mohammad Aslam, state coordinator of Mission Amrut Sarovar, informed that the Central Government has relaxed the standard of area earmarked for construction of sarovar in Uttarakhand under the ambitious programme Mission Amrit Sarovar.

• Now, in Uttarakhand, lakes can be built in less than one acre of land.

Key Points:

=> The Centre has given this exemption in view of the heterogeneous geographical conditions of the state of Uttarakhand. The renovation and rejuvenation of the lakes will cost Rs 132.91 crore.

=> It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Mission Amrit Sarovar on April 24 this year with a view to conserve water for the future. Combining it with the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, a target has been set to build 75 Amrit Sarovar's in each district.

=> These reservoirs are to be constructed before 15th August next year. As per the prescribed standard, the area of a lake (reservoir) should be one acre or more.

=> In the plains of Uttarakhand with heterogeneous geographical conditions, there is availability of one acre or more of land for reservoir construction, but this was not happening in the mountains.

=> On this, the state government requested for relaxation in the standard of area, which was accepted by the Centre.

=> Mohammad Aslam, state coordinator of the mission, said that 1017 lakes have been selected against the target of 975 lakes set for all the 13 districts.

=> So far, 530 lakes have been sanctioned, out of which work has started on 333. Construction and revitalization of other lakes will begin soon.

=> Most of the lakes will be constructed under MGNREGA.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED