Pulwama, July 20: A Sarovar, created under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) at Bellow village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district is becoming a centre of attraction for villagers.
The Amrit Sarovar, an artificial pond, has been established at Usmanabad locality of Bellow village.
The pond has a beautiful location on banks of a fresh rivulet surrounded by green mulberry and apple orchards.
Within a short period after its completion the Amrit Sarovar is becoming a centre of attraction for locals from Bellow and surrounding villages of Nikas, Arbal and others.
For many children this is like a dream come true. A local kid from Bellow, 11 year old Amaan, has been a regular at this new place of recreation for the past few days.
“After school I come here along with my friends, “Amaan, said, adding that they spent more than one hour here enjoying diving, swimming and dipping.
The little boy said that they have a fresh water rivulet flowing through the area but they don’t take risk to dive in it.
“Bathing in the rivulet is risky because it is often hit with flash floods due to erratic weather patterns,” he said.
He said that their parents allow them to take a dip in this pond which is safe for them.
Another kid, Furqaan, praised the local administration for giving them this beautiful Sarovar.
A local youth said that apart from the artificial pond, a park has also been established by authorities of the Rural Development Department.
He added that this place has beautiful scenery. “On one side it has a pristine fresh water stream and on the other side it has apple orchids,” he said, adding that it will serve immensely for local recreation and relaxation.
Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Pulwama, Dr Peerzada Farhat Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that they have rejuvenated many Sarovar in the district.
He said that under Mission Amrit Sarovar they were given a target of rejuvenating or establishing 75 Sarovar.
“We rejuvenated around 230 ponds, springs and other water bodies which look very beautiful and attractive,” he said, adding that they will be rejuvenating 20 more in this year.
He added that the sarovars serve multipurpose which include availability of water for drinking and irrigation.
“Besides, they serve as points for recreation, employment generation and local tourism,” he said.
