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Recent Trends in Fluid Mechanics

Accessibility of Water Bodies in Manipur: Water Census-Based Analysis

  1. Khwairakpam Robindro Singh

Abstract

Water is an essential national substance for human civilisation, existence, and ecosystems. Acquisition of information on water bodies and their essential aspects, like the quantity, condition, level of encroachment, utilisation, and potential for storing water, are essential for sustainable use. Water census data of 2023 has been used to analyse the accessibility of water bodies in Manipur, a state of India, based on the Water Bodies Accessibility Index (WBAI) and Per Capita Water Accessibility Index (PWAI). Bishnupur district is found to be sound in the WBAI and PWAI due to the presence of the Loktak Lake. Valley districts have relatively better accessibility when compared to the hill districts. However, the percentage of water users of the water bodies in all districts still needs to be higher. 82.57 % of water bodies are confined in rural areas, while 17.43% are in urban areas despite having a denser population. 31.44 % of all types of water bodies are still vacant and must be filled up to meet the required amount of water in a locality. This study will help in the water management policy and decision-making process for properly planning water bodies in the state.

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