Survey
Map the pond's full original area, its inlets and its catchment, and record encroachments and sewage outfalls.
Ponds and lakes in South Tripura
7,588ponds, out of 7,589 water bodies
The 1st Census of Water Bodies counted 7,589 ponds, tanks, lakes and other water bodies in South Tripura district. 0 of them (0%) were not in use and 1 had been encroached upon. South Tripura has the most ponds of the 8 districts in Tripura the census counted.
Every water body the census counted in South Tripura
0 of 7,589 water bodies (0%) 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 South Tripura…
- Ponds7,588
- Others1
Source: 1st Census of Water Bodies, Ministry of Jal Shakti (counted in 2018-19, published 2023).
Why South Tripura's ponds matter for its groundwater
10%Safe
South Tripura pumps out 10% 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 South Tripura 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 South Tripura?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies (Ministry of Jal Shakti, counted in 2018-19, published 2023) counted 7,588 ponds in South Tripura district, out of 7,589 water bodies in all. That is the 1st most ponds of 8 districts in Tripura counted by the census.
How many lakes are there in South Tripura?
The 1st Census of Water Bodies recorded no lakes or reservoirs in South Tripura district; its 7,589 water bodies are mostly ponds.
How many water bodies in South Tripura are not in use?
0 of the 7,589 water bodies (0%) were not in use when counted: dried up, silted, cut off from their catchment, polluted or built over. 1 had been encroached upon.
How do ponds help groundwater in South Tripura?
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 South Tripura running out?
In the 2025 Central Ground Water Board assessment, South Tripura district pumped out 10% of the groundwater that can safely be taken out each year ("safe").
Ponds in other districts of Tripura
Districts ranked by number of ponds in the 1st Census of Water Bodies.
- 1West Tripura6,899 water bodies, 0% not in use6,898
- 2Sepahijala5,264 water bodies, 0% not in use5,264
- 3North Tripura4,250 water bodies, 0% not in use4,250
- 4Gomati3,446 water bodies, 0% not in use3,280
- 5Dhalai3,188 water bodies, 0% not in use3,188
- 6Khowai2,989 water bodies, 0% not in use2,989
- 7Unakoti2,614 water bodies, 0% not in use2,613