Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the 1st Census of Water Bodies in convergence with the 6th Minor Irrigation (MI) Census under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Irrigation Census”. The objective of the Census of Water Bodies is to develop a national database for all water bodies by collecting information on all important aspects of the subject including their size, condition, status of encroachments, use, storage capacity, status of filling up of storage etc. The First Census of Water Bodies conducted in convergence with the 6 MI Census resulted in substantial savings in respect of planning, training of field staff, security, data entry, validation etc. because the coverage area of both the Censuses in rural area is same. The First Census of Water Bodies also covered urban areas and took into account all types of uses of Water Bodies like Irrigation, Industry, Pisciculture, Domestic/ Drinking, Recreation, Religious purpose, Ground Water Recharge and other purposes.

See also: State-wise report of first Census of Water bodies - Volume-2 (http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/reports-documents/state-wise-report-first-census-water-bodies-volume-2)