Controversy erupts over sharing Yagachi water

The issue of sharing water from the Yagachi reservoir in Belur become a controversy in the recent days, resulting in protests and counter-protests in Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts.

Several organisations, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, had given a call for a bandh in Chikkamagaluru town on Saturday opposing the release of Yagachi water to Hassan.

Last week, organisations in Belur had taken out a similar protest.

However, the Janata Dal (Secular) had countered the protest demanding the release of Yagachi water for the benefit of residents in 10 wards of Hassan City Municipal Council, under the leadership of the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

The decreasing water level in the reservoir, due to loss of rainfall, and increasing demand for drinking water have been the causes of these protests.

The reservoir, built with the capacity over 3.6 tmcft, had been providing water for Belur, Chikkamagaluru and around 17 villages of Arasikere taluk. Whenever there is a crisis, residents in parts of Hassan also look for Yagachi water. At present, the amount of water available has been reduced to 0.69 tmcft, with which the reservoir has to cater to the needs of two towns and many villages.

Two weeks ago Mr. Deve Gowda visited the reservoir and urged officers to release 20 cusecs of water every day to Hassan. Considering the availability, the officers agreed.

However, it was countered by a protest in Belur on February 22, forcing the officers to stop the release of water.

The JD(S) leaders staged the protest in Hassan on February 25 and succeeded to release water from the reservoir. The officers have been instructed to release 400 cusecs of water at the rate of 20 cusecs per day to Hassan.

This time, members of the Chikkamagaluru City Municipal Council hit the streets protesting against the release of water to Hassan. They staged a protest in front of the reservoir on Thursday and also called up for a bandh on March 4.