Lok Sabha Question No. 4714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-31
Subject: Data on Water Bodies
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Riti Pathak, Dileshwar Kamait, Geeta Kora, Navneet Ravi Rana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4714

ANSWERED ON 31.03.2022

## DATA ON WATER BODIES

## †4714.  SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK SHRIMATI GEETA KORA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (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 Statewise;

(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?

SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT: SHRIMATI NAVNEET RAVI RANA

## ANSWER

## 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 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                                        |

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