Southern States - Karnataka   

Rainwater harvesting imperative: Patil

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE MARCH 22. The Karnataka Minister for Water Resources, H.K. Patil, said today that harvesting and conservation of rainwater were essential for staving off water scarcity.

Speaking at a function organised in connection with World Water Day here, he called upon the people to use water judiciously and adopt harvesting and conservation measures in their houses. The State budget for 2003-04 had earmarked more than 50 per cent of funds for water projects. As much as 31 per cent of the funds under the Sectoral Outlay Plan had been set aside for irrigation and flood control, seven per cent for drinking water supply, and 12 per cent for other water-related works.

Excessive exploitation of groundwater was a major reason for the acute drinking water shortage in many districts, he said. The United Nations had adopted the slogan, "Water is future.'' Harvesting of rainwater was the only solution to overcome water shortage, he said, and appealed to citizens to treat water as a precious commodity.

Officials of the Irrigation Department should create awareness among the people about ways of conserving water, Mr. Patil said. By 2025, human beings would account for 70 per cent of water utilised, and 90 per cent by 2050. In many places, surface water was not suitable for drinking due to pollution caused by industries, he added.

The Minister of State for Rural Water Supply, K.B. Koliwad, said only 13 per cent of rainwater was being used in the country. The rest flowed into the sea. Only 10 per cent of surface water and 90 per cent of groundwater were being used for drinking purpose.

Bill soon

The State Government had been implementing several World Bank-aided watershed projects, drinking water supply schemes and hydrology projects at a cost of Rs. 2,800 crore, Mr. Koliwad said. Despite this, many taluks were facing an acute shortage of drinking water. To ensure better management of water projects and schemes, the Government had decided to introduce a Bill in the Legislative Assembly soon.

He said the U.N. started observing March 22 as World Water Day from 1993. The State Government was observing Water Day for the past three years.

There were 10 lakh borewells in the State. Overexploitation of groundwater, poor management of irrigation projects, and wastage of rainwater were among the major reasons for drought in the State. Efforts should be made to recharge groundwater by harvesting and conserving rainwater, he suggested.

The Minister for Mines, Geology, and Groundwater Development, V. Muniyappa, said 72 taluks in the State were facing drinking water crisis. Kolar was the worst affected.

According to a report submitted by experts, groundwater had dried up in the district. Fluoride and nitrate contents were higher in groundwater in the district, the Minister said. He called upon farmers not to waste water during plantation of crops.

`Fresh-water Year'

Usha Ganesh, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, said the Union Government had decided to observe 2003 as "Fresh-water Year'' to create awareness among the people about the need for judicious use of water. At present, only one per cent of surface water was fresh.

About 2,000 tanks would be rejuvenated soon with World Bank aid, Ms. Ganesh said.

"The time has come to preserve the existing water resources for the future. If this is not done, there will be a war for water.''

S.J. Channabasappa, Secretary, Water Resources Department, and M. Basappa Reddy, Director, Department of Mines and Geology, were present.

The programme was organised by the Department of Mines and Geology.

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