Members of Raitha Krishi Karmika Sanghatane (RKS) on Tuesday staged a dharna in front of the Zilla Panchayat office here, demanding release of water into the lakes at Odavinakatte, Kaatasooru Kabbagere and Kallahalli villages.
People in the catchment areas of Cauvery and Kabini have been facing water crisis with no efforts being made to fill the tanks when there is surplus water. Despite bringing the matter to the notice of elected representatives and the officials, no measures had been taken to address the plight of farmers and others, the protesters said.
Because of deficient rains and other factors, Odavinakatte Lake in Harohalli Gram Panchayat in Mysuru taluk has gone dry since past 10 years. Water is not being filled into the lake from Devaraja Urs Canal for various reasons.
Also, the lift irrigation project to bring water to the lake from nearby Kapila river has not taken off, the RKS said in a release here.
The ground water table in the village has also declined, causing failure of borewells and drinking water crisis for humans as well as livestock besides affecting farm activities. Maddur, Maddur Hundi, Chunchurayanahundi, Kallahalli, Soliga Colony, Hampapura, Hommaragalli and other villages which depend on water from the lake are also facing problems.
