New Delhi: As many as 38,496 water bodies out of the total 24,24,540 water bodies are reported to have been encroached over the years. This was stated by Union minister of state for jal shakti Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
As per the first census of water bodies in convergence with the sixth minor irrigation census (reference year 2017-18), under the Centrally sponsored scheme -“Irrigation Census” conducted by jal shakti ministry, there are 24,24,540 water bodies in the country, out of which 38,496 water bodies are reported to have been encroached.
Also Read: 35% wetlands have disappeared since 1970, says expert
It was stated in Rajya Sabha that increased incidence of high intensity rainfall in short duration is mainly responsible for urban floods which is further compounded by unplanned growth, encroachment of natural water bodies, poor drainage system, etc.
Management of urban flooding and works related to preservation and conservation of water bodies, their enumeration, protection from encroachment, or diversion for use for other purposes, comes under the purview of the state government/urban local body/urban development authority concerned. However, from time to time, this ministry conducts census of minor irrigation schemes in the country which captures data regarding water bodies in rural areas associated with irrigation.
Also Read: Clamour to save trees from Bengaluru’s PRR project grows louder
The minister said that there is no proposal under consideration of government of India for setting up a national level regulatory mechanism to check encroachments of water bodies.
Regulation, preservation and conservation of water bodies including river beds, lakes, etc., and prevention of their illegal encroachments comes under the purview of the state government/urban development authorities concerned.
