HAL to help rejuvenate Kumudvathi river

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is all set to contribute for the rejuvenation of Kumudvathi river, a tributary of Arkavathi river that originates from Shivagange Hills in Nelamangala taluk of Bengaluru Rural district.  

Speaking at an event in Adihosahalli village, 70 km from Bengaluru, V M Chamola, Director (Human Resources), HAL said, “We decided to adopt the Tavarekere mini-watershed and provide the much-needed lifeline to the river that catered to 30 per cent of City's water needs in the past.” 

Revival of dried up natural water resources and sprucing up the natural habitat in the region is the key objective of the initiative. As many as 18 mini watersheds have been planned across the river basin, which has declared as “over-exploited” and “no borewells zone”, he added. 

The HAL project, which spreads across  26-km radius, entails construction of 34 boulder checks, 34 recharging wells, and seven borewells, building of 10 water pools of 20x20 sq meters (five meter depth) and planting 5,000 saplings including tamarind, ala, arali, neem, torematti, mahagani etc. These plants help in long-term soil restoration and enhance water absorption. 

The river basin is spread over 460 sq km and has 278 villages in the catchment areas.  Kumudavathi river was providing water to Thippagondanahalli reservoir. 

Water drawn from the reservoir used to meet 30 per cent of City’s water needs. However, at present, the reservoir is almost dry with scanty inflow from the river.

HAL has joined hands with International Association of Human Values (IAHV), a sister organisation of Art of Living to rejuvenate Kumudavathi river.