Nuamunda Tank Reborn: A Community’s Journey from Neglect to Renewal
Khagsikana village in Odisha’s Balangir district has witnessed a remarkable transformation—one that goes far beyond infrastructure.
The Nuamunda Tank, once a neglected water body near the revered Shree Swapneswar Mahadev Temple, has been reborn through the Amrit Sarovar Mission, becoming a symbol of cultural pride, agricultural resilience, and grassroots governance.
Spanning 1.1 acres, the tank had suffered from silting and poor maintenance, diminishing its spiritual and ecological value. But with Rs 15 lakh in funding from MGNREGS and Finance Commission Grants, and the active involvement of villagers, the tank was deepened to 10,000 cubic meters, embankments reinforced, and encroachments cleared.
The community didn’t stop at restoration. They led plantation drives, beautification efforts, and installed benches and lighting—turning the tank into a vibrant social space.
The rejuvenation has improved water retention, supported short-term crops, enabled pisciculture and floriculture, and recharged groundwater.
Sarpanch Jibani Dash calls it “a model of emotional, cultural, religious, and economic convergence.” With 7,075 sites identified under the Amrit Sarovar Mission across Odisha, Nuamunda stands out as a beacon of what collaborative governance can achieve.
