Can the Recent Water Body Census Bridge the Gap in Conservation Efforts?

For the first time in its history, India has conducted a comprehensive census of its water bodies. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, which is the nodal ministry for the development, conservation, and management of water resources in the country, has undertaken this initiative to collect data on India's water resources, including natural and man-made water bodies such as ponds, tanks, and lakes, and to assess the encroachment of water bodies.

Rural vs. Urban Distribution of Water Bodies

The census has highlighted significant disparities in the distribution of water bodies between rural and urban areas. Out of the 2,424,540 water bodies enumerated in the country, a staggering 97.1% are in rural areas, while only 2.9% are in urban areas. The top five states with the highest number of water bodies are West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam, which together constitute around 63% of the total water bodies in the country.

Census Data Highlights: Types of Water Bodies and Ownership

The census has provided crucial insights into the types of water bodies in India and their ownership. According to the data, 59.5% of the enumerated water bodies are ponds, followed by tanks (15.7%), reservoirs (12.1%), water conservation schemes/percolation tanks/check dams (9.3%), lakes (0.9%), and others (2.5%). Furthermore, the data reveals that 55.2% of the water bodies are owned by private entities, while 44.8% are in the domain of public ownership.

Importance of Water Bodies in India

Water bodies play a crucial role in India's economy and society. They serve as sources of irrigation for agriculture, supply water for industries, support pisciculture, provide drinking water for domestic use, serve as recreational spaces, hold religious significance, and facilitate groundwater recharge. Therefore, conserving and preserving water bodies are essential for sustainable development and achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Encroachment: Revealing the Extent of the Issue

The census has also shed light on the issue of encroachment of water bodies in India. The data reveals the extent of encroachment, which seriously threatens the country's water resources. Encroachments include illegal construction, dumping of solid waste, and conversion of water bodies into land for various purposes. The census data on encroachment will aid in identifying and addressing this pressing issue and taking necessary measures to protect water bodies from further encroachment.

Govt Initiatives & Challenges in Water Body Conservation

In the past, the UPA government has undertaken initiatives such as the Repair, Renovation, and Restoration of Water Bodies scheme launched in 2005 and works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) focused on reviving traditional water bodies. However, the lack of a comprehensive database of water bodies has been a hindrance in implementing effective conservation and restoration measures. The recent census data, which counted nearly five times the number of water bodies compared to previous surveys, including urban areas, provides a more accurate and detailed understanding of the water resources in the country.

Significance of the Water Body Census for Future Resource Management

The first-ever water body census in India has provided valuable data and insights into the country's water resources, highlighting disparities between rural and urban areas, types of water bodies, ownership patterns, and the encroachment issue. The data collected will serve as a crucial resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to formulate effective strategies for water body conservation and sustainable management of water resources in the country.