Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar water conservation project in Amreli, Gujarat
Distilled Policy Brief
- The 'Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar', spread over 21 acres with a 40 crore liter capacity, was inaugurated in Amreli, Gujarat, constructed by the Hari Krishna Group and Dholakia Foundation to enhance groundwater conservation and agricultural-drinking water availability.
- National initiatives highlighted include the creation of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, adoption of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, the 'Catch the Rain' campaign, and increasing dam irrigation capacity nationwide by 160 percent through desilting.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
Note key details of the Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar (21 acres, 40 crore liters capacity in Amreli) and regional water infrastructure schemes such as SAUNI and Sujalam Sufalam.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the role of community-driven water harvesting initiatives, check dam networks, and river-linking projects (like SAUNI) in transforming drought-prone regions into climate-resilient agricultural zones.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to recent water conservation initiatives and infrastructure projects in India, consider the following statements: 1. The 'Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar' in Amreli has been constructed by the Hari Krishna Group and Dholakia Foundation to aid groundwater recharge and agricultural-drinking water availability. 2. Under the SAUNI scheme, excess water from the Narmada river is diverted to replenish dams and rivers in the Saurashtra region. 3. Desilting initiatives across dams nationwide have significantly contributed to enhancing the overall dam irrigation capacity. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
All three statements are correct. Statement 1 is correct as the 21-acre 'Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar' in Amreli was built by the Hari Krishna Group and Dholakia Foundation to store 40 crore liters of water for groundwater conservation and drinking/agricultural use. Statement 2 is correct as the SAUNI scheme transfers surplus Narmada water to reservoirs in Saurashtra. Statement 3 is correct as nationwide desilting initiatives have boosted the irrigation capacity of dams across the country by up to 160 percent.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.