By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched ‘Ama Pokhari’ initiative, which aimed to rejuvenate 2,000 large water bodies in 115 urban local bodies of the State by involving women SHGs.
CM Patnaik launched the initiative at a function held at Lok Seva Bhavan here. Mayor Soluchana Das, BMC Commissioner Vijay Kulange , officials of BMC , BDA and Housing and Urban Development and others were among those present.
Under the Ama Pokhari scheme, 2,000 large water bodies in 115 urban areas will be rejuvenated and its periphery will be renovated for healthy space for the public. This will be done in partnership with Mission Shakti WSHG and educated young men & women who have passed out of college. A better environment will be created at a lower cost in natural ways.
Speaking at the event held at the convention hall of Lok Seva Bhavan, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik highly praised the women workforce of Mission Shakti. The Chief Minister said that Mission Shakti mothers are the model of teamwork and they are doing a great job in villages and cities. “I am proud” of their success, he said. The Chief Minister expressed his belief that the mothers of Mission Shakti will prove their mettle in the Ama Pokhari scheme as well.
The Chief Minister said that ponds play an important role in our social and cultural life. It is also related to health and the economy. He expressed the hope that the revived ponds will become an integral part of urban life.
Stating that the restoration of degraded ponds is a laudable step, the Chief Minister said that its transformation would improve the quality of life in urban areas.
The Chief Minister praised the Municipal Corporations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur for the success of the pilot project of Ama Pokhari programme. He advised to speed up the program and complete it soon.
The Chief Minister also praised the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the success of various programs like Jaga Mission, Drink from Tap, Mukta. Now another success of the department is the successful implementation of Ama Pokhari programme, he said.
Participating in the programme, Mrs Usha Devi, Minister of the Housing and Urban Development Department, said that through this scheme, the women of Mission Shakti will now be the protectors of ponds. She said that the role of women in the development of all areas of town and village is becoming more important day by day.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured Mr Anand Malligavad, Chief Advisor of Ama Pokhari Programme. Mr. Anand, who started his career as a mechanical engineer, left his profession and started working for the protection of water bodies. He has considerable skills and a reputation in the field of water conservation. He is known as Lake Man throughout the country.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also felicitated the teams of Municipal Corporations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur for the success of the Aam Pokhari Pilot Project.
Mission Shakti’s Gitanjali Behera of BMC, Anita Rani of CMC and Sunita Panda of BeMC, who are working on this pilot project, narrated their experiences and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for entrusting them with the responsibility of revival of water bodies.
Housing and Urban Development Department, Principal Secretary Mr. G. Mathi Vathanan delivered the welcome address and the Special Secretary gave the vote of thanks
