BW Explains: What Says First Census Of Water Bodies?
Water reflects the possibility of tomorrow; humans cannot imagine their existence without it. Since the degradation of the earth's health began, the conservation of fresh and drinkable water resources has become an emerging concern. According to data from the World Bank, it is estimated that around 70 per cent of surface water in India is unfit for consumption, and the health costs related to water pollution are alone estimated at about Rs 470-610 billion (USD 6.7-8.7 billion per year).
Taking cognisance of the severity of the issue of water resources, the Ministry of Jal Shakti conducted its first-ever census of water bodies in India between 2018-19. This is the first-ever census conducted for water bodies in the country that aimed to collect comprehensive data on their current condition, usage, distribution across states, and encroachment status.
What are Water Bodies?
The first census of water bodies also sheds light on the definition of water bodies as a structure to store water for irrigation, household usage, industrial objectives, and replenishment of groundwater. As per the definition, it is a structure where water from ice melt, streams, springs, rain, or drainage of water from residential or other areas is accumulated. The census includes water bodies like lakes, tanks, reservoirs, and ponds, but not oceans and lagoons.
Aim of the Census
The census of water bodies aims to collect data that can be used to estimate the recharge of groundwater. It can be further helpful in forming and implementing new policies regarding water resources across the country, such as the Atal Bhujal Yojana. The data collected through this census also assists rural administration in informing dwellers of the actual groundwater conditions at the local level. Furthermore, the data can be used for the preparation of water security plans.
Key Findings
The census unveiled that more than 2.4 million water bodies were enumerated in the country. South 24 Parganas in West Bengal had the highest number of water bodies, followed by East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh and Kutch in Gujarat. In terms of ownership, 55.2 per cent (13,38,735) of water bodies are owned by private entities, whereas 44.8 per cent (10,85,805) are under public ownership.
The report also revealed that a major chunk of water (59.5 per cent) lies in ponds, while tanks account for 15.7 per cent of the water bodies. Meanwhile, 12.1 per cent, 9.3 per cent, and 0.9 per cent of water bodies are reservoirs, water conservation schemes/check dams/percolation tanks, and lakes, respectively.
In terms of analysing water bodies by nature, the census report said that among all 24,24,540 water bodies, 78 per cent (18,90,463) of water bodies are man-made, and the remaining 22 per cent (5,34,077) are natural water bodies.
The census also shed emphasis on the encroachment of water bodies and concluded that 1.6 per cent of the enumerated water bodies were encroached upon. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of water bodies under encroachment, followed by Karnataka and Kerala.
More than 95 per cent of the encroached water bodies were in rural areas, and almost 63 per cent of them had less than a quarter of the area under encroachment.
The water bodies census has provided various facts and conclusions that can assist authorities in drawing policies and plans accordingly. As the world is heading towards a warmer climate, water is the only escape that can sustain life and habitat on the earth.
