India Conducted its First-Ever Census on Water Bodies. Census Reveals Crucial Insights Into The Country’s Water Resources. Jal Shakti Ministry Releases Report Enumerating Over 24 Lakh Water Bodies
RAIPUR (India CSR): Chhattisgarh is a state in India known for its distinctive arts and crafts, rich biodiversity, and rare wildlife species. It has an area of 1,35,191 km and a population of 2,55,40,196 as per the population census of 2011. The state has 34,000 water bodies, out of which the majority, i.e. 98.6% (33,519) are in rural areas and the remaining 1.4% (481) are in urban areas, State-wise reports of First Census of Water Bodies of India report said.
The majority of the water bodies are ponds. 86.7% (29,463) of water bodies are under public ownership whereas the remaining 13.3% (4,537) are under private ownership. By location, 36.3% (12,355) of water bodies are in tribal areas, 40.1% (13,647) in naxal-affected areas, 4.9% (1,677) in areas under ‘Drought Prone Areas Programme’ and the remaining 18.7% (6,321) are located in flood-prone areas and other areas.
Chhattisgarh is known for its distinctive arts and crafts that mirror the simplicity and traditions of the state and its people. The state has immense possibilities for wildlife and eco-tourism because of its rich biodiversity. Chhattisgarh is blessed with some of the most endangered and rare wildlife species.
The State has an area of 1,35,191 km and a population of 2,55,40,196 as per the population census of 2011.
Major findings of the census
In 1st census of water bodies, 34,000 water bodies were enumerated in the State of Chhattisgarh, out of which the majority, i.e. 98.6% (33,519) are in rural areas and the remaining 1.4% (481) are in urban areas.
Majority of Publicly Owned, Diverse Locations
86.7% (29,463) of water bodies are under public ownership whereas the remaining 13.3% (4,537) are under private ownership. By location, 36.3% (12,355) of water bodies are in tribal areas, 40.1% (13,647) in naxal affected areas, 4.9% (1,677) in areas under ‘Drought Prone Areas Programme’ and the remaining 18.7% (6,321) are located in flood-prone areas and other areas.
Pisciculture is a Primary Use in 41.6% of In-Use Water Bodies
Out of 34,000 water bodies, 85.2% (28,976) of water bodies are in use whereas the rest 14.8% (5,024) are not in use on account of drying up, siltation, destroyed beyond repair, salinity and other reasons. Out of ‘in use’ water bodies, 12,042 (41.6%) are used for Pisciculture.
9,209 Natural and 24,791 Man-Made – The majority in Rural Areas!
There are 9,209 natural and 2,4791 man-made water bodies in the State of Chhattisgarh. Out of 9,209 natural water bodies, 97.2% (8,948) water bodies are located in rural areas and the remaining 2.8% (261) are located in urban areas. Out of 2,4791 man-made water bodies, 99.1% (24,571) water bodies are located in rural areas and the remaining 0.9% (220) are located in urban areas. Most man-made water bodies have an original cost of construction of up to Rs.50,000.
20.6% Fully Filled, 42.3% Filled up to 3/4 level
Out of 34,000 water bodies, the information on ‘filled up storage capacity’ and ‘status of filling’ was collected for 33,546 water bodies. During the reference year 2017-18, out of these 33,546 water bodies, 20.6% (6,902) water bodies had fully filled up storage capacity, 42.3% (14,183) water bodies had storage capacity filled upto three fourth level, 26.9% (9,035) water bodies had storage capacity filled upto half level, 7.0% (2,346) had storage capacity filled upto one-fourth level whereas 3.2% (1,080) had nil/negligible storage capacity.
95% Serving One City/Town – Details from District and State Irrigation Plans
293 water bodies are covered in District Irrigation Plan/State Irrigation Plan. Among these water bodies, 82.9% (243) are ponds whereas the remaining 17.1% (50) are lakes, tanks reservoirs, etc. Out of ‘in use’ water bodies, 95.0% (27,526) are benefitting one (01) city/town, 3.8% (1,108) water bodies are fulfilling the requirements of 2- 5 cities/ towns and the remaining 1.2% (342) water bodies are benefitting more than five (05) cities/towns.
Encroachment in 111 – Majority in Ponds, Minimal Impact
The state has reported encroachment in 111 water bodies, out of which 92.8% (103) are ponds and the remaining 7.2% (8) are tanks, lakes, reservoirs, etc. Out of all these 111 water bodies, the encroachment area can be assessed in 21 water bodies. Among these 21 water bodies, 19 are assessed to have less than 25% area under encroachment and 2 are having encroachment areas ranging between 25% to 50%.
Majority Below 1 Hectare in Size – Details on Water Spread Area
Out of 34,000 water bodies, the information on ‘water spread area’ was reported in 33,591 water bodies. Out of these 33591 water bodies, 34.3% (11,522) have a water spread area of less than 0.5 hectares, 27.9% (9,363) have a water spread area ranging between 0.5 to 1.0 hectares, whereas 0.2% (83) water bodies have water spread area more than 50 hectares.
The majority Have Storage Capacity Above 10,000 Cubic Meters
In terms of storage capacity, 38.1% (12,938) of water bodies have a storage capacity between 1,000 to 10,000 Cubic Meters whereas 48.9% (16,627) of water bodies have a storage capacity of more than 10,000 cubic meters.
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