Mysuru ZP to Hoist Tricolour at 85 Rejuvenated Amrit Sarovars on Independence Day

The Mysuru Zilla Panchayat is set to hoist the national tricolour on the banks of 85 Amrit Sarovar ponds across Mysuru district on Independence Day. The water bodies were rejuvenated by approximately 2,125 workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The initiative aims to raise awareness about drought management and water conservation among individuals and local communities amid deficit rainfall.

Local elected representatives and administrative officials will lead the flag-hoisting ceremonies alongside members of self-help groups, youth clubs, and civil society organisations. School children will participate by staging plays and singing patriotic songs. To mark the occasion, sapling plantation drives will also be conducted around the periphery of each pond.

Mysuru Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer S Ukesh Kumar stated that in the wake of the prevailing drought conditions, the administration plans to create awareness regarding employment opportunities under the VBGRAMG scheme (Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin)) to help support rural livelihoods.

Mysuru Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary (Development) Bhimappa K Laali noted that ground water tables have been depleting alongside the rainfall deficit. He stated that holding the celebrations at the water bodies serves to meaningfully highlight environmental conservation while honouring the sacrifices of freedom fighters.

The ponds, each spanning an area of more than one acre, were developed under the Mission Amrit Sarovar nationwide water conservation scheme launched in April 2022. Constructed using MGNREGA funds at an average cost of Rs 60 lakh per pond, each project employed at least 25 local workers across different implementation phases over the past three years.

Across the district, 16 ponds each were developed in H D Kote and Hunsur taluks, 15 each in Mysuru and T Narsipur, eight in Sargur, six in Saligrama, five in Nanjangud, and four in Periyapatna taluk.

The rejuvenation work involved de-silting and excavation to increase storage capacity, alongside constructing and reinforcing embankments to prevent structural erosion. Officials also developed inlet and outlet channels to secure steady inflows and prevent sewage contamination, carried out slope pitching to stabilise the inner banks, managed catchment runoff zones, and planted native tree species including Neem, Peepal, and Banyan.