<p>It is not only people or livestock reeling under severe water crisis in the district but also mango trees that are drying up even before the mango season has begun. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Bare trees have become common in many taluks in the district causing heartburn among farmers, who expected to reap a good yield this year. Increased sinking of borewells in the district has deprived the trees of its share of moisture from the earth, hence the trees are drying up, it is said.<br /> <br />Mango is the significant economic source of the district. But this year’s change in mango trees has worried farmers. <br /><br />“Trees were full of green leaves a few months ago but now the branches are bare with the trees are shedding leaves prematurely,” said a grower. One can see the dried up trees up to a stretch of kilometre from Aleri village in Thotli gram panchayat jurisdiction. <br /><br />According to Horticulture Department Assistant Director Manjunath, increased sinking of borewells is taking moisture from the earth besides causing depletion of water table. <br /><br />Drying up of mango trees is not unusual here for there are instances of trees going dry, due to lack of water every year. But this year, there are whole grove that stand dry, which is certainly worrying, he added. <br /><br />“We have given 10 acre mango grove on lease for two years (Rs 1.80 lakh). At least 25 per cent of trees here are dried up. If we don’t get the expected yield, we have to return the money or may have to extend the lease for another year for free,” Krishnappa, a grower who owns a mango grove in Shettymadamangala told Deccan Herald. In the same village, mango trees belonging to Rudrappa and Adiveppa have also dried. <br /><br />“The trees were just 20 year old and this is the first time that all the trees stand dry. Lack of moisture in the earth has led to this,” they said. <br /><br />The trees were in full bloom a few months ago. Lack of expected rain and chemical fertiliser sprayed in neighbouring farms have drastically affected trees besides sucking up the moisture, the growers pointed out. <br /><br />According to Manjunath, those who had adopted mixed farming, are not affected by water crisis. </p>.<p>For, growing other crops in between mango trees ensures moisture to the trees. But most of the farmers have only mango groves. Growers in Mastenahalli in Srinivaspur taluk, Holur in Kolar taluk want the agriculture scientists and other concerned to evolve measures to address the issue. <br /></p>
<p>It is not only people or livestock reeling under severe water crisis in the district but also mango trees that are drying up even before the mango season has begun. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Bare trees have become common in many taluks in the district causing heartburn among farmers, who expected to reap a good yield this year. Increased sinking of borewells in the district has deprived the trees of its share of moisture from the earth, hence the trees are drying up, it is said.<br /> <br />Mango is the significant economic source of the district. But this year’s change in mango trees has worried farmers. <br /><br />“Trees were full of green leaves a few months ago but now the branches are bare with the trees are shedding leaves prematurely,” said a grower. One can see the dried up trees up to a stretch of kilometre from Aleri village in Thotli gram panchayat jurisdiction. <br /><br />According to Horticulture Department Assistant Director Manjunath, increased sinking of borewells is taking moisture from the earth besides causing depletion of water table. <br /><br />Drying up of mango trees is not unusual here for there are instances of trees going dry, due to lack of water every year. But this year, there are whole grove that stand dry, which is certainly worrying, he added. <br /><br />“We have given 10 acre mango grove on lease for two years (Rs 1.80 lakh). At least 25 per cent of trees here are dried up. If we don’t get the expected yield, we have to return the money or may have to extend the lease for another year for free,” Krishnappa, a grower who owns a mango grove in Shettymadamangala told Deccan Herald. In the same village, mango trees belonging to Rudrappa and Adiveppa have also dried. <br /><br />“The trees were just 20 year old and this is the first time that all the trees stand dry. Lack of moisture in the earth has led to this,” they said. <br /><br />The trees were in full bloom a few months ago. Lack of expected rain and chemical fertiliser sprayed in neighbouring farms have drastically affected trees besides sucking up the moisture, the growers pointed out. <br /><br />According to Manjunath, those who had adopted mixed farming, are not affected by water crisis. </p>.<p>For, growing other crops in between mango trees ensures moisture to the trees. But most of the farmers have only mango groves. Growers in Mastenahalli in Srinivaspur taluk, Holur in Kolar taluk want the agriculture scientists and other concerned to evolve measures to address the issue. <br /></p>
