Latest news with #AmritSarovars
Time of India
18-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh numero uno in Amrit Sarovars construction
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest number of Amrit Sarovars in the country, having constructed and rejuvenated 16,630 ponds — three times the original target of 5,550 — since the launch of the programme in 2022. This project, along with others aimed at improving the state's groundwater situation received a fresh impetus this week as the state observes 'Groundwater Week'. Madhya Pradesh secured the second spot with 5,839 ponds, followed by Chhattisgarh (2,902), Bihar (2,613), Haryana (2,088), Jharkhand (2,048), and Punjab (1,450), said a govt spokesperson. The state govt has also launched several other water conservation initiatives. These include the Khet Talab Yojana, efforts to revive extinct rivers through the 'One District-One River' scheme, promotion of irrigation techniques such as sprinkler and drip systems, incorporation of groundwater harvesting structures in building construction, and development of multipurpose ponds along riverbanks. Under the Khet Talab Yojana, the govt has helped construct 37,403 farm ponds since 2017–18, providing up to 50% subsidy on construction costs to farmers. Under the river revival programme, all district magistrates have been instructed to revive at least one river in their respective districts. In areas where groundwater levels have remained low for the past 10 years, at least one-fourth of farmers are being encouraged to adopt water-saving technologies. "These initiatives have shown positive results, with 29 districts reporting improvements in groundwater levels. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath introduced water conservation practices at Gorakhnath Temple around 10 years ago. He identified four spots prone to waterlogging and had rainwater harvesting pits installed there," said the spokesperson.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
State govt to revive six more small rivers in Prayagraj dist
1 2 Prayagraj: The state govt has taken an initiative to identify the small rivers that are on the verge of extinction in the Prayagraj district and revive them. After reviving three small rivers, including Lapri, Karnavati and Loni, district authorities have identified six small rivers, including Belan, Thotha, Bakrahi, Sevarahi, Ghaghar and Varuna. Officials claimed that the revival of these small rivers will not only help to maintain ecology but also create more opportunities for agriculture, groundwater, and rural life. The Yogi-led state govt is making herculean efforts to revive extinct small rivers across the state with the objective of improving the ecosystem as well as the groundwater level. Apart from the three major rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Tons, there are more than a dozen small rivers in Prayagraj that are currently struggling for their survival. Once these small rivers are rejuvenated, there will be an abundance of water and other resources to be found in all 23 blocks of the district. Chief development officer (Prayagraj), Harshika Singh says, "On the instructions of the govt, the identification of small rivers on the verge of extinction is being carried out across the district. The list of identified rivers includes Loni, Lapri, Karnavati, Belan, Thotha, Bakrahi, Sevarhi, Ghaghar, and Varuna." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The administration has been successful in reviving the Lapri and Karnavati rivers with a budget of 102.44 lakhs, while the exercise of rejuvenating the Loni river is underway with a budget of Rs 1.50 crores. An inclusive action plan is also being prepared for the remaining rivers. Officials claimed that reviving these small rivers is possible only through a long process and every individual's participation. For this, the govt is connecting gram panchayats, schools, and voluntary organisations with the river conservation campaign to ensure rural participation. By creating river friends in every village, a permanent monitoring system is being developed. Encroachment is being removed on the river banks, and floodplains are being freed. There are plans to revive traditional water sources, which include activating old wells, stepwells and ponds related to the river, as water storage. Experts said, "To revive the vanishing small rivers, the first requirement is to maintain the availability of water reaching the rivers throughout the year. This will be possible only when the condition of the groundwater level in that area remains better so that the pressure of irrigation does not fall much on these small rivers." The state govt has also prepared a backup plan for the rejuvenation of small rivers. Deputy Commissioner (MNREGA) Gulab Chandra said that a total of 583 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed in the district so far at a cost of Rs 28.92 crores to store around 13 lakh cubic rainwater. Apart from this, 106 Amrit Sarovars are under construction in the district in the current financial year. Similarly, the target of digging 50 ponds has been set in the Prayagraj district this year, which is three times more than last year.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UP to become a model state in carbon credit trading: Yogi
Ayodhya: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a new initiative on Wednesday to link environmental conservation with economic prosperity in the state. To promote institutionalisation of carbon credit trading, Yogi asked the officials to rope in village councils, forest officials, farmers and residents in the plantation drive and create awareness about the benefits that are being offered by the govt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the plantation drive in Triveni Forest of Ayodhya, the CM presented carbon absorption and offset mechanism. "We are not just planting trees; we are preserving the future. Uttar Pradesh will now gain recognition and financial benefits on international platforms for its environmental efforts. UP will become a model state in carbon credit trading," the CM said. Through Amrit Sarovar programme, reservoirs, ancient rivers, waterbodies and forests are being rejuvenated and revived so that millions of carbon credit could be absorbed in the state, a senior officer said. "Each village council will be registered for carbon credits based on the count of trees that have been planted, water source conservation, organic farming and other measures. The govt will work with expert organisations to make the certification process simple and transparent. A significant portion of the income from carbon credit sales will go to the local communities," he said. "Ayodhya, where Yogi inspected the plantation drive along the Saryu river and Amrit Sarovars, would emerge as a role model for the state's 'green economy'. The process of linking ongoing environmental efforts to the international carbon credit market will begin soon," he said. The initiative is crucial not only for conserving Uttar Pradesh's environment but also for energising rural economy. Carbon absorption and credit trading can become a new formula for environmental prosperity in the state. Certificates were awarded to Anita Yadav and Sheela Devi for Vedic forest and to Shailja Pandey, Shanti Devi and Rakesh Kumar for the revival of Tilodaki Ganga river. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mamta Pal, a farmer from Rampur had set a benchmark by planting 3,600 saplings trees in her fields. She was honoured with a reward of Rs 10,000 by the CM during the plantation drive. Similarly, Raman Singh from Saharanpur had planted 2,800 trees in his village in Saharanpur. "I take inspiration from CM Yogi who is actively pursuing the mission to increase the green cover," he said after being honoured. Shiv Kumar from a village in Meerut, who had planted 3,800 trees, also received a token of appreciation.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Prayagraj builds 583 Amrit Sarovars, boost water conservation
1 2 3 Prayagraj: In a bid to tackle depleting groundwater levels, the Uttar Pradesh government has been actively constructing Amrit Sarovars in rural areas to conserve water. Notably, Prayagraj has set a remarkable record under the Mission Amrit Sarovar scheme by building 583 Amrit Sarovars across 23 blocks, capable of storing approximately 13 lakh cubic meters of water. This initiative is not only enhancing water availability, but also boosting the rural economy. Deputy commissioner (MNREGA) Gulab Chandra said, "A total of 583 Amrit Sarovars have so far been constructed in Prayagraj at a cost of Rs 28.92 crore." Additionally, 106 Amrit Sarovars are under construction in the district in the current financial year. In the selection process, Prayagraj ranks second in the state after Kannauj. Weak monsoon has led to a decline in the district's average annual rainfall, which has dropped to around 890 mm. This, combined with changing water conservation habits, has resulted in a steady depletion of groundwater levels. However, the construction of Amrit Sarovars has helped collect 13 lakh cubic meters of rainwater. With 106 more ponds under construction, expected to store 104 crore liters of rainwater, the initiative is likely to improve groundwater levels in rural areas. With the transparent policy and determination of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has certainly created a new identity regarding water conservation. This significant scheme of water conservation has also provided employment to rural youth and women. Women have played an active role in the excavation, beautification, and maintenance of the ponds. This campaign has not only become a means of water management, but also a means of livelihood. A comprehensive policy was formulated to develop sustainable water resources, the effects of which are now visible, said the officials.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
CM announces new horticulture initiatives, praises water campaign
Indore: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday praised the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan, a water conservation campaign, which commenced from Gudi Padwa on March 30 and concluded on June 30 in Madhya Pradesh. The campaign concluded in Khandwa, that saw construction of over 1.29 lakh water structures, making it the top district in the country for groundwater conservation. While addressing the gathering, the CM said that the campaign became a public movement, leading to various innovations in water source conservation across all districts. Under the MGNREGA scheme, new farm ponds, Amrit Sarovars and well recharge pits were constructed, and water structures were renovated. Yadav announced that Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan would now continue in a new form, under the name 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. From June 30 to August 15, tree plantation drives will be conducted on govt land with the support of the Horticulture Department. Following this, from August 15 to September 15, plantation efforts will extend to private lands. To encourage greenery and horticulture, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department has devised a new scheme, providing Rs 3 lakh assistance to 30,000 women across the state to develop orchards on one acre of land. This assistance will be provided in three phases annually for plantation, fencing, irrigation facilities and other necessary works. This initiative aims to develop 'Ek Bagia Maa Ke Naam' on 30,000 acres across the state over the next three years, increasing fruit production and greenery with a total state expenditure of Rs 900 crore. He said that 2.39 lakh 'Jal Dooth' (water ambassadors) contributed to water source conservation, becoming the campaign's torch-bearers. A total of 38,000 new farm ponds were created. In Khandwa district, over 1 lakh wells were recharged at a cost of Rs 254 crore, earning the district the first position nationally in this effort. He declared that the Indore is now number one in both cleanliness and water conservation. The CM highlighted that over 140 large drains meeting more than 57 rivers have been identified under the campaign. Ninety-one watershed projects have been developed in 36 districts of the state, and 9,000 water structures have been prepared for agricultural irrigation. During the event, the CM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 1,568 crore. He also inaugurated the Jawer Micro Irrigation Project and three other irrigation projects in Khandwa district, along with 74 renovated water structures across the state. A new software for monitoring and management of watershed projects was also launched. Yadav announced an allocation of Rs 174 crore for the construction of Khandwa bypass and other roads. He said that due to various initiatives, the maximum temperature in Nimad decreased by four degrees. He projected that the state's irrigation area would increase from 55 lakh hectares to 100 lakh hectares in the next five years, with benefits from the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project for Bundelkhand, Parvati-Kalisingh-Chambal (PKC) for Malwa-Chambal and Tapi Mega Recharge Project for Nimad. Outstanding 'Jal Yoddhas' (water warriors) were also honoured during the event. The chief minister announced that before Simhastha 2028, Omkareshwar's Ekatma Dham would be developed along the lines of Ujjain's Mahakal Lok. He also announced that beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna Yojana will receive an additional Rs 250 as a token of auspiciousness before Raksha Bandhan. After Diwali, from Bhai Dooj, Ladli Behnas will receive Rs 1,500 per month. The state govt aims to fulfil its commitment by depositing Rs 3,000 into the accounts of Ladli Behna beneficiaries by the next elections. On the occasion, the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel read a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his message, congratulated the people of Madhya Pradesh for the success of the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan', driven by the hard work, dedication and faith of millions. He extended best wishes to the 'Jal Doot', women from self-help groups and farmers involved in water conservation and tree plantation. PM Modi remarked, "It is a pleasant feeling to see the 'Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan' transform into a public movement under the guidance of chief minister and his team." He also commended the organisation of the 'Watershed Conference' alongside the closing ceremony in Khandwa. He highlighted Khandwa's achievement in constructing water harvesting structures as an inspiration to others.
