Three gram panchayats in Dakshina Kannada have stopped sinking borewells and have instead opted to dig open wells in an effort to ensure recharging of ground water. All these works have been done under the MNREGA.
Kashipatna Gram Panchayat in Belthangady taluk, pioneer in the effort, is leading with 180 open wells dug since 2010-11. Kavalamudur and Kolnad gram panchayats in Bantwal taluk have now 152 and 124 open wells, respectively.
Open wells have helped re-charge the groundwater in the district, which receives 4,000 mm annual average rainfall, said the official. Hydrogeologist and rainwater harvest expert N.J. Devaraja Reddy told The Hindu that if borewells empty aquifers, open wells help recharge underground water quickly.
The cost of digging an open well is also less when compared to the drilling of borewells. While an open well can be dug at a cost ranging from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 40,000, a borewell costs up to Rs. 1 lakh.
