Deccan Chronicle 20.02.2010

Belgaum may face water crisis

Belgaum, Feb, 19: The state could be in for a severe water crisis in the next 10 years unless it manages its water resources better while meeting the demands of a rising population and urbanisation, warn geologists.

The water shortage in Karnataka is second only to Rajasthan despite its many rivers and reservoirs, says the mines and geology department. “At many places, particularly in north Karnataka over- exploitation has resulted in severe depletion of the groundwater table. Today we need to dig at least 800 to 1000 feet to reach groundwater as against 300 feet just five years ago in many of these areas,” say officers .

According to the water resources department, exploitation of groundwater is higher in parts of north and south interior Karnataka than in coastal areas, he Malnad and the irrigation command areas of the state. "As many as 43 taluks are over- exploiting groundwater while another 29 are getting there. Around 72 taluks are at the critical stage in groundwater exploitation,'' officers add.

Even worse, in many parts of Karnataka lakhs of borewells, open wells and ponds have dried up. Fresh surveys have revealed that more than 122 taluks are facing a water scarcity and their situation is likely to worsen during summer, increasing their dependancy on water tankers.