Second Water Census Shows 63% Drop in Mizoram’s Water Bodies, 50% Fall in Arunachal

The second comprehensive water census covering India’s North‑East region has highlighted a steep contraction in surface water bodies. Data released by the Ministry of Water Resources indicate that Mizoram has lost roughly 63 per cent of its lakes, ponds and reservoirs, while Arunachal Pradesh reports a 50 per cent decline. The assessment, based on satellite imagery and field verification, compares the current water‑body extent with figures from the first census conducted a decade earlier. Experts say the shrinkage reflects a combination of climate variability, unchecked sand mining and inadequate watershed management. Authorities have been urged to prioritize restoration projects and stricter regulation to curb further loss of these critical ecosystems.