Home/waterbodiescensusSearch ResultsFirst ever Water Bodies Census finds 97% of India's water bodies in rural areasBy गाँव कनेक्शनOut of all water bodies, the census reported 38,496 as encroached, out of which a whooping 95.4 per cent of the encroached water bodies are in rural areas. Ponds, tanks and lakes play a major role to fulfil water-related needs of the rural hinterlands, where tap connections are still a pipe dream. Out of all water bodies, the census reported 38,496 as encroached, out of which a whooping 95.4 per cent of the encroached water bodies are in rural areas. Ponds, tanks and lakes play a major role to fulfil water-related needs of the rural hinterlands, where tap connections are still a pipe dream.