New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- The second part of the country's first-ever spring census has enumerated 14,468 springs across 10 states, with Manipur and Maharashtra accounting for the largest number of such water sources, according to a report of the Jal Shakti Ministry.

The report was released at the valedictory ceremony of the ninth India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam on September 25.

The census identified 3,941 springs in Manipur, 3,652 in Maharashtra, 1,957 in Odisha, 1,686 in West Bengal, 1,196 in Goa, 1,049 in Tripura, 792 in Assam, 148 in Telangana, 34 in Andhra Pradesh and 13 in Rajasthan.

The report, titled 'First Census of Springs (Volume II, Part-II)', covers Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura and West Bengal.

The report calls for systematic mapping to identify vulnerable and critical springs, ensure their protection during infrastructure development and facilitate preparation of detailed project reports for springshed management programmes.

An earlier Volume II report covering Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu was published on India Water Day 2026.

According to the report, Maharashtra has 2,629 perennial, 909 seasonal and 114 dried springs. Of its 3,652 springs, 3,612 are located in rural areas and 40 in urban areas. About 86.5 per cent are publicly owned and 13.5 per cent privately owned. Of 3,508 springs assessed for resource threats, 265, or 7.6 per cent, face threats.

Manipur has 3,419 perennial, 457 seasonal and 65 dried springs among its 3,941 inventoried springs. In the northeastern state, 91.4 per cent springs are publicly owned. Of the springs assessed for resource threats, 1,336, or 34.5 per cent, face threats. In the state,

residents use 3,127 springs, while 634 are used by non-residents and 113 by wild animals.

According to the report, Odisha has 1,957 springs, including 1,568 perennial, 315 seasonal and 74 dried springs. Nearly 96 per cent are publicly owned and 99.2 per cent are located in rural areas. Of 1,878 springs assessed for resource threats, 295, or 15.7 per cent, face threats.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.