Hyderabad, Aug 4 (Representative) Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-inC), Southern Command inaugurated the ‘Amrit Sarovar’ at Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) Centre in Secunderabad on Friday. A Defence release said, on directions of Headquarters Dakshin Bharat Area, the AOC Centre was tasked by Headquarters Telangana & Andhra Sub Area to develop an Amrit Sarovar for the cause. The Sarovar has been developed in an area of 1.2 Acres of land, which will assist in boosting the groundwater level and provide a suitable habitat for local flora & fauna. The GOC-in-C was proactive of the efforts put in and complemented the AOC Centre for their efforts on the conservation of water and in creating a centre of local community activities. Approximately 11,000 medicinal and herbal plant saplings have been planted around Amrit Sarovar. Natural shrubs have been planted on its bunds to make a natural bio-retaining wall.
A pathway has been created for walking with adequate lighting and seating benches along the Amrit Sarovar. An open gymnasium and figure ‘8’ walking track have also been made next to the Amrit Sarovar for the health benefit of all. As part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, Government of India launched mission ‘Amrit Sarovar’ with the overall aim to create at least 75 Sarovars (Ponds) in every district of the country and a target was set to build 50,000 Amrit Sarovars in the country by August 15 2023. Taking toward the initiative of rejuvenating and developing the Sarovars in various towns & villages of Southern India, the Indian Army deployed in the Southern states also decided to contribute for the national cause as these Amrit Sarovars would play an essential role in water harvesting and its conservation apart from increasing the availability of water both at surface and subsurface. The formations of Southern Command identified 75 sites at different locations and work towards this initiative is underway with vigour and enthusiasm by various Army establishments which will significantly assist in ameliorat ing the water crisis in respective areas.