10 states have 14,468 springs, highest in Manipur:1,336 here at risk; India’s first-ever spring census

The second phase of the country’s first Spring Census counted 14,468 springs across 10 states. The highest numbers of springs were recorded in Manipur and Maharashtra. According to a report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, around 15% of the country’s population-approximately 20 crore people-depend directly or indirectly on spring water. The report was released at the closing ceremony of the 9th India International Water Week 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam on 25 September. The states covered were Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura and West Bengal. The census aimed to create reliable, standardised and georeferenced data on springs. This will help in planning schemes, spring-area management and policy formulation. According to the report, 3,941 springs were found in Manipur and 3,652 in Maharashtra. Odisha recorded 1,957 springs, West Bengal 1,686 and Goa 1,196. There were 1,049 springs in Tripura, 792 in Assam, 148 in Telangana, 34 in Andhra Pradesh and 13 in Rajasthan. The report is titled ‘First Census of Springs (Volume II, Part-II)’. It highlights the need for systematic mapping to identify springs that are endangered and critically important. The report states that the protection of these springs should be ensured while developing infrastructure. It also calls for detailed project reports to be prepared for spring-shed management programmes. The first Volume II report was released for Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu. This report was published on India Water Day 2026. 3,652 springs in Maharashtra Maharashtra has 2,629 perennial springs, 909 seasonal springs and 114 dry springs. Of these, 3,612 springs are in rural areas and 40 are in urban areas. About 86.5% of these springs are under government or public ownership. The remaining 13.5% are privately owned. A total of 3,508 springs were assessed for threats to their resources. Of these, 265 springs, or 7.6%, were found to be under threat. Threats affect 34.5% of springs in Manipur Manipur has 3,419 perennial springs, 457 seasonal springs and 65 dry springs. In the state, 91.4% of the springs are publicly owned. Of the springs assessed for threats to their resources, 1,336, or 34.5%, were found to be at risk. Local people use 3,127 springs in the state. Outsiders use 634 springs, while wild animals use 113. Odisha has 1,957 springs Odisha has 1,568 perennial springs, 315 seasonal springs and 74 dry springs. Around 96% of the springs are publicly owned. As many as 99.2% of the state’s springs are located in rural areas. A total of 1,878 springs were assessed for threats to their resources. Of these, 295 springs, or 15.7%, were found to be at risk. Darjeeling has 1,200 springs West Bengal has 1,686 springs. Of these, 1,568 are located in rural areas and 118 in urban areas. A total of 1,200 springs were recorded in Darjeeling and 427 in Kalimpong. According to the report, springs are an important source of drinking water for several rural and tribal communities in these districts. 61 waterfalls at risk in Goa Goa has 1,196 waterfalls. Of these, 1,105 flow throughout the year, 66 are seasonal and 25 are dry. Of these, 662 waterfalls are publicly owned and 509 are privately owned. Of the waterfalls assessed for threats to resources, 61, or 5.2%, are at risk. Dhalai in Tripura has the highest number of waterfalls Tripura has 661 waterfalls that flow throughout the year, 378 seasonal waterfalls and 10 dry waterfalls. All the waterfalls in the state are located in rural areas. The highest number, 398, was found in Dhalai. This was followed by 238 waterfalls in North Tripura and 205 in Khowai. Assam has 792 waterfalls Assam has 792 waterfalls. Of these, 587 are in rural areas and 205 in urban areas. The state has 662 waterfalls that flow throughout the year, 127 seasonal waterfalls and three dry waterfalls. A total of 784 waterfalls were assessed for threats to resources. Of these, 41, or 5.2%, were found to be at risk. Local people use 667 waterfalls in Assam. Outsiders use 91 waterfalls and wild animals use 26. Figures for Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan Telangana has 148 springs. Of these, 126 flow throughout the year, 18 are seasonal and four are dry. Andhra Pradesh has 34 springs, all of them in rural areas. All 34 springs in the state are seepage-fed and seasonal. They are all publicly owned. Rajasthan has 13 springs. Of these, 10 are in rural areas and three in urban areas. Eight springs flow throughout the year and five are seasonal. All 13 springs in Rajasthan are publicly owned. 20 crore people depend on spring water The report cites the NITI Aayog working group’s 2018 report on water security. It is titled ‘Inventory and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security’. According to it, 15% of the country’s population, or around 20 crore people, depend directly or indirectly on spring water for their needs. The 23rd Report of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Water Resources for 2022-23 also recommended reviving springs in hilly areas and managing them sustainably. The committee asked the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to take steps in this direction. Following this, the department formed a steering committee for spring-shed mapping in the Indian Himalayan region and other hilly areas. Its aim was to accelerate spring-shed management efforts. The committee identified the lack of a systematic system, uniform formats and standardised techniques for mapping springs and spring-sheds as a major obstacle. The census was conducted digitally The first Spring Census was conducted alongside the seventh Minor Irrigation Census, the second Water Bodies Census and the first Major and Medium Irrigation Projects Census. Its reference year was 2023-24. The entire process was conducted digitally. Data was collected through an Android-based mobile app and managed on a central web platform. In a message accompanying the report, Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil said that systematic databases and periodic monitoring are essential for managing springs. He said this would advance the management of spring resources, spring-shed management projects and the scientific understanding of spring systems. The report has been prepared as a reference document for policymakers and implementing agencies to plan and implement spring-shed management activities in the 10 states covered. ​