Survey
Map the pond's full original area, its inlets and its catchment, and record encroachments and sewage outfalls.
Ponds and lakes in Shopian
24ponds, out of 36 water bodies
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 36 ponds, tanks, lakes and other water bodies in Shopian district. 7 of them (19%) were not in use and 0 had been encroached upon. Shopian has the 14th most ponds of the 18 districts in Jammu and Kashmir the census counted.
Every water body the census counted in Shopian
7 of 36 water bodies (19%) are not in use: dried up, silted, built over or polluted. Bringing them back is one of the cheapest ways to recharge groundwater.
Loading the map of water bodies in Shopian…
- Ponds24
- Tanks6
- Reservoirs6
Source: 1st Census of Water Bodies, Ministry of Jal Shakti (counted in 2018-19, published 2023).
Why Shopian's ponds matter for its groundwater
22%Safe
Shopian pumps out 22% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year (2025, Central Ground Water Board), which the board rates safe. Working ponds are a large part of what keeps it there, by letting rain soak back into the ground.
Bringing a pond in Shopian back
Most ponds that are not in use can be revived. The work is the same in a village or a city sector:
Desilt
Dig out the silt that has sealed the bed, so water soaks into the ground again instead of evaporating.
Reconnect
Clear and line the channels that bring rain in, with a silt trap before the pond; divert sewage away from it.
Recharge
Add recharge shafts or wells in the bed where the soil is tight, so water reaches the aquifer faster.
Protect
Fence or plant the banks, mark the boundary and hand upkeep to the panchayat or residents' body.
Frequently asked questions
How many ponds are there in Shopian?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies (Ministry of Jal Shakti, counted in 2018-19, published 2023) counted 24 ponds in Shopian district, out of 36 water bodies in all. That is the 14th most ponds of 18 districts in Jammu and Kashmir counted by the census.
How many lakes are there in Shopian?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 0 lakes and 6 reservoirs in Shopian district, along with 6 tanks.
How many water bodies in Shopian are not in use?
7 of the 36 water bodies (19%) were not in use when counted: dried up, silted, cut off from their catchment, polluted or built over. 0 had been encroached upon.
How do ponds help groundwater in Shopian?
A working pond holds rain long enough for it to soak into the ground and refill wells and borewells nearby. A silted or encroached pond sends that rain down the drain instead. Desilting, reopening inlets and adding recharge shafts in the pond bed are among the cheapest ways to recharge groundwater.
Is groundwater in Shopian running out?
In the 2025 Central Ground Water Board assessment, Shopian district pumped out 22% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year ("safe").
Ponds in other districts of Jammu and Kashmir
Districts ranked by number of ponds in the 1st Census of Water Bodies.
- 1Kathua3,138 water bodies, 16% not in use1,322
- 2Jammu928 water bodies, 55% not in use888
- 3Udhampur896 water bodies, 24% not in use556
- 4Samba543 water bodies, 76% not in use543
- 5Reasi1,471 water bodies, 11% not in use429
- 6Rajouri761 water bodies, 6% not in use260
- 7Kupwarar270 water bodies, 24% not in use226
- 8Poonch202 water bodies, 44% not in use182
- 9Pulwama225 water bodies, 9% not in use102
- 10Anantnag161 water bodies, 32% not in use72
- 11Doda99 water bodies, 51% not in use68
- 12Kulgam43 water bodies, 23% not in use35
- 13Kishtwar153 water bodies, 8% not in use27
- 14Ramban45 water bodies, 9% not in use17
- 15Bandipora38 water bodies, 16% not in use11
- 16Budgam12 water bodies, 25% not in use10
- 17Baramulla15 water bodies, 53% not in use6