A Bill to provide for establishment of a Pond Development, Protection and Conservation Authority. Due to rapid urbanization, industrialization and population explosion, water bodies like ponds and tanks are being converted into urban, industrial and agricultural land use. In the State there are large number of ponds/tanks which are traditional source of surface water storage, ground water augmentation, irrigation, domestic and drinking water and rural industries. These ponds/tanks are managed, protected, conserved and rejuvenated by various Government Departments like Minor Irrigation,Irrigation, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Forest etc.