Bhuj, Feb 9 (NationPress) The administration of Kutch district has successfully undertaken a thorough initiative to officially register 910 lakes across 281 villages, facilitating structured efforts for conservation, water harvesting, protection, and beautification in Gujarat’s most extensive and water-scarce district.

This project, executed under the supervision of Collector Anand Patel, was achieved in a swift timeframe of three months, encompassing all 10 talukas of the district.

Utilizing scientific land measurement techniques, field verification, and final revenue orders, approximately 5,691 acres of land linked to these lakes have been accorded official (niyam) status, as reported by officials.

Kutch is situated in a semi-arid region where water is essential for drinking, agriculture, and livestock.

Despite the presence of many lakes and water bodies in the district, numerous did not possess a clearly defined legal status or recorded area in revenue documents, which hampered potential for organized conservation, development, and protection initiatives.

Consequently, the district administration initiated a focused campaign to identify and formally document these lakes.

As part of this endeavor, advanced surveying techniques were applied by the District Inspector of Land Records (DILR), the authority responsible for land measurement, boundary setting, and record preparation.

Officials noted that the DILR's involvement will aid in averting future disputes, encroachments, and unlawful occupation of lake areas.

According to official statistics, 313 lakes were documented in Bhuj taluka, 163 in Nakhatrana, 132 in Anjar, 87 in Abdasa, 78 in Bhachau, 45 in Lakhpat, 38 in Mandvi, 25 in Mundra, 18 in Rapar, and 11 in Gandhidham, culminating in a total of 910.

In Bhuj city, directives have been issued to confer official recognition to 21 lakes, with the process of transferring them to the relevant authorities now complete.

Officials indicated that several lakes identified during the operation were situated on grazing land, and their comprehensive details have been communicated to the district panchayat to ensure their protection and management through local self-governance.

Collector Anand Patel stated, "With their registration in revenue records, these lakes can now be incorporated under government programs such as Sujalam Sufalam Yojana, Amrit Sarovar, and various other water conservation initiatives. The administration anticipates that this action will aid in groundwater recharge, enhance water levels in nearby wells, borewells, and tubewells, mitigate salinity, and improve the local micro-climate."

Additionally, there are plans for plantation activities around the lake perimeters by the forest department and organized works by the irrigation department. Officials remarked that this undertaking is one of the most significant district-level initiatives in Gujarat aimed at formally recognizing lake lands, establishing a clear administrative framework for sustainable water resource management in Kutch.