Bengaluru, Oct 9 (NationPress) The Karnataka government has initiated the ‘Neeriddare Naale’ (Water is Future) project in Bengaluru, officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

During the launch event at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha, Minister N.S. Bosaraju, who oversees Minor Irrigation, Science, and Technology, revealed that over 35,000 lakes have already been cleared of encroachments in the state, with monthly progress reviews in place.

He emphasized that significant attention will be directed towards enhancing the groundwater levels by removing encroachments from 41,849 lakes and replenishing them with water by December this year.

Lakes in the H.N. Valley and K.C. Valley regions have seen improved groundwater levels. Every year, 1,018 lakes are replenished, providing water to 25 lakh acres through the Minor Irrigation Department, with rejuvenation efforts supported by local societies.

Minister Bosaraju reiterated their commitment to boosting groundwater levels.

The Groundwater Department is collecting groundwater level data every six hours from 2,714 regions across the state, noting that borewells facilitate 60 percent of agricultural activities.

With drought conditions recurring every four to five years, the state faces heightened challenges regarding natural disasters. Karnataka ranks second nationally in rain-fed agriculture and tenth in groundwater utilization, according to Minister Bosaraju.

He warned that without intervention, the state could face severe challenges ahead, particularly as groundwater is overly exploited in 44 taluks. During Siddaramaiah's previous administration, over 8,000 minor irrigation projects were launched to enhance groundwater levels.

Minister H.K. Patil, responsible for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Tourism, mentioned that with the implementation of five guarantee schemes, a water guarantee has become crucial. He emphasized the government's dedication to ensuring the well-being of farmers, with Minister N.S. Bosaraju prioritizing the Minor Irrigation Department's efforts to enrich the state's water resources.

Rajendra Singh, known as the 'Waterman of India' and a Magsaysay Award recipient, shared insights from his work in the Chambal Valley, where former bandits joined the water conservation movement.

“The presence of water fosters peace,” he stated.

Singh praised the state government's water conservation initiatives and observed notable improvements in Karnataka's groundwater levels.

He declared that Karnataka leads in groundwater rejuvenation and underscored the importance of a decentralized approach to groundwater development in the state.