The first water body census of India was conducted in 2018-19, by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the successful guidance of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jal Shakti Minister. Around 24 lakh water bodies were covered across all states and Union Territories. The census reports were released very recently, accentuating comprehensive data and information on ponds, lakes, tanks and reservoirs in the country. The various types of uses of water bodies, including irrigation, industry, pisciculture, domestic/ drinking, recreation, religion, groundwater recharge, etc., were all considered while curating the census, along with clarifying the ownership of these bodies into private or public.
Water Bodies in Tribal Areas
There are a lot of states in India which are home to considerable populations of various tribal groups. In most areas, the members of tribes, also known as the “Adivasis”, draw their livelihood through natural resources of forests and water. Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka are the Major tribal states of India serving as a place of haven for various tribal groups such as Gond tribes, Mund tribes, Santhals, etc.
| Tribal States | Number of Water Bodies |
| Madhya Pradesh | 82,643 |
| Orissa | 1,81,837 |
| Maharashtra | 97,062 |
| Rajasthan | 16,939 |
| Gujarat | 54,069 |
| Jharkhand | 1,07,598 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1,90,777 |
| West Bengal | 7,47,480 |
| Karnataka | 26,994 |
| Chattisgarh | 34,000 |
The state of Madhya Pradesh, with its beautiful hills, forests, rich heritage and many such natural marvels, harbours various tribes on its land, including Andh, Baiga, Bhil etc. The state holds 82,643 water bodies, mostly in rural areas and very few in urban zones. Odisha’s stunning wildlife and awe-inspiring mountains have 1,81,837 water bodies, with more than half of them in rural areas and a small proportion in urban lands, along with an almost equal distribution between private and public ownership. Maharashtra has 97,062 water bodies, 99.3% of which are in rural areas, and the remaining 0.7% are in urbanized parts. Most of the water bodies in the state are publicly owned, with only 0.3% under private ownership.
The state of Rajasthan, with a pompous culture and inspiring history, holds a concerning number of water bodies with a total of 16,939, out of which only 189 are in urban areas and the rest all in rural regions. Gujarat has 54,069 water bodies on its land, most of which are water conservation schemes, percolation tanks, and check dams. The tribal states of Jharkhand specifically carved out of Bihar for preserving and thriving the tribal population accounts for 1,07,598 water bodies under its territory. Andhra Pradesh has 1,90,777 water bodies, while Karnataka accounts for 26,994 water bodies. The literature and cultural state of West Bengal has 7,47,480 water bodies, toppling all other states in terms of water bodies. The state of Chattisgarh, thriving with its distinct art and craft, has been enumerated with 34,000 water bodies.
