Starting with a fresh insight into India’s water resources, the Ministry of Jal Shakti recently published its first-ever census of water bodies. The report provides an exhaustive inventory of water sources in the nation, spotlighting differences across rural and urban locations as well as varying degrees of encroachment.
Understanding the Census of Waterbodies
The Census of Waterbodies was carried out in tandem with the 6th Minor Irrigation Census for the fiscal year 2017-18. The census describes a waterbody as “all-natural or man-made units bounded on all sides with some or no masonry work used for storing water for irrigation or other purposes.”
Its primary goal was to compile a comprehensive list of India’s water resources, including natural and artificial water bodies such as ponds, tanks, lakes, among others. Additionally, it aimed to gather data on the encroachment of these water bodies.
Major Findings from the Census
According to the census, there are about 24,24,540 water bodies throughout India. West Bengal has the highest number at approximately 7.47 lakh, while Sikkim has the fewest with only 134.
The report further divulges that West Bengal is home to the greatest number of ponds and reservoirs. South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal notably leads in terms of the volume of water bodies. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh boasts the highest number of tanks and Tamil Nadu possesses the most lakes. Furthermore, Maharashtra is the frontrunner in water conservation schemes.
Surprisingly, the report suggests that 97.1% of the water bodies are located in rural areas, leaving only a scanty 2.9% in urban localities. Ponds formed a majority of the water bodies, followed by tanks, reservoirs, water conservation schemes, percolation tanks, check dams, lakes, and others.
Encroachment of Water Bodies: A Growing Concern
For the first time, the census managed to collect data on the encroachment of water bodies. It discovered that about 1.6% of all enumerated water bodies have been encroached upon, with a whopping 95.4% of these encroachments occurring in rural locales and the remaining 4.6% in urban areas. Importantly, a significant percentage of encroachments cover over three-quarters of the water body’s area.
Implications and Significance of the Census Data
The findings from this census provide valuable information for policymakers, enabling them to make informed decisions relating to water resource management and conservation. The report underlines the disparities between rural and urban regions, emphasizing the urgent need to create effective countermeasures against encroachment.
Moreover, the information gathered by the census can act as a reference point for future evaluations of India’s water resources. This will enable ongoing monitoring of changes and advancements towards sustainable water management. The census has thereby demonstrated its considerable potential to contribute to improving awareness and strategic planning for water management in India.
