Case of the Disappearing Water Bodies: Survey Reveals 8,940 Missing in Bihar
Overview of the Census Findings
A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti has revealed that approximately 8,940 water bodies in Bihar are no longer in existence. This finding raises questions about the status and preservation of these vital resources.
The Second Census of Water Bodies, which included data from Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Ladakh, and Sikkim, determined that Bihar had recorded 45,793 water bodies in the previous census conducted in 2018-19. However, the latest data indicates that only 36,856 of these water bodies still exist, marking a significant reduction.
Ownership and Encroachment Issues
The census indicates that around 45 percent of the remaining water bodies in Bihar are owned by the state government. Despite this, the state’s revenue and land reforms department has not provided information on the extent of encroachment affecting these water bodies, whether partial or total.
An official from the department mentioned that they are currently reviewing the census findings and plan to prepare an updated report on public ponds that are free from encroachment.
Distribution of Water Bodies in Bihar
The findings also reveal that 85 percent of the water bodies are located in rural areas, and a significant majority, about 91 percent, are classified as ponds. The remaining bodies include lakes, tanks, reservoirs, check dams, and percolation dams.
According to the census, the number of ponds in Bihar has decreased from 35,027 in 2018-19 to 33,618, indicating a loss of 1,409 ponds. Additionally, tanks have declined from 4,221 to 859, lakes from 2,693 to 258, and reservoirs from 2,156 to 315.
Ownership Distribution
The data indicates that a majority of the water bodies (40.4 percent) are under the ownership of panchayats, while the State Water Resources Department (WRD) and State Irrigation control around 22.3 percent of the water resources.
Concerns Over Encroachment
The issue of encroachment, particularly by land mafias, poses a significant threat to the remaining water bodies in Bihar. In a recent directive, the Patna High Court highlighted that 1,045 ponds in the state have faced encroachment.
During the recent Budget Session of the Bihar Assembly, revenue and land reforms minister Vijay Sinha stated that only five ponds were under encroachment. This claim has been challenged by Indian Inclusive Party (IIP) MLA IP Gupta, who asserted that the latest census results contradict the government’s statements, prompting him to seek further clarification on the matter.
Aims of the Census
The Second Census of Water Bodies was initiated with the goal of establishing a comprehensive database. This database is intended to facilitate effective planning and policy-making for the preservation, conservation, and renovation of water bodies in the state.
