Question : Data on Water Bodies

(a) the details of the number of water bodies in the country for which data have been collected, State-wise;
(b) whether the number of such water bodies has declined and if so, the details of the number of cases of
encroachment of water bodies reported throughout the country during the last three years, year and State-wise;
(c) the details of the action taken on the reported cases of encroachment of water bodies so far along with the details of the plan of the Government to check such encroachment;
(d) whether the shortage of water exists even today and is also a matter of concern for future;
(e) if so, whether the Government has formulated any policy to tackle it; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

(a) Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the first Census of Water Bodies in convergence with the Sixth Minor Irrigation Census Presently, the field work and data processing activities of the first Census of Water bodies is nearing completion in various States/UTs. However, as per currently available data, the tentative figures of State-wise number of water bodies is provided in Annexure I.
(b) The Census of Water bodies is being taken up for the first time and hence comparison with previous data is not possible. The information on encroachment of water bodies is being collected in the first Census of Water bodies which is nearing completion. Based on available information, the State-wise number of cases of encroachment of water bodies is given in the enclosed Annexure I.
(c) Action on reported encroachment of water bodies is to be taken by the respective State Governments, as it comes under the purview of the State Government concerned. However, from time to time this Ministry has been sensitizing the State Governments regarding importance of water bodies for socio economic development and sustainable water security to the local population. Need for taking necessary steps for keeping all the water bodies encroachment free, such as inclusion of water bodies in land records and making them integral part of town planning process, strict action for the encroachers, etc. is also emphasized to the State Governments by this Ministry, from time to time.
(d) to (f) Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Central Government provides technical and financial assistance to them through various schemes and programmes.

******
ANNEXURE I

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4714 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.03.2022 REGARDING “DATA ON WATER BODIES”.

State-wise number of water bodies and number of encroachments reported in the first Census of Water bodies (Provisional)

S.No. States/UTs Total number of water bodies reported Total number of encroachments reported
(1) (2) (3) (4)
1 ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS 3,528 59
2 ANDHRA PRADESH 1,90,777 3,920
3 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 993 0
4 ASSAM 1,72,492 13
5 BIHAR 45,793 871
6 CHANDIGARH 188 0
7 CHHATISGARH 34,000 111
8 GOA 1,463 8
9 GUJARAT 54,069 22
10 HARYANA 14,898 50
11 HIMACHAL PRADESH 88,017 42
12 JHARKHAND 1,07,598 560
13 KERALA 55,734 111
14 MANIPUR 1,658 6
15 MEGHALAYA 13,332 6
16 MIZORAM 2,185 7
17 NAGALAND 1,432 1
18 PUDUCHERRY 1,171 34
19 PUNJAB 16,012 1,578
20 SIKKIM 134 0
21 TAMIL NADU 1,06,957 8,366
22 TELENGANA 64,056 3,032
23 UTTARAKHAND 3,096 5


*****