JOIN USGround water rejuvenation for summer water woes
Zilla Panchayat has taken up ground water rejuvenation programme in the district to find a solution to water woes during summer.
The programme has been initiated under Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The Zilla Panchayat is planning to rejuvenate 2,500 borewells in the district during the year, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr R Ragapriya to Deccan Herald.
The work on at least 10 borewell rejuvenation programmes have been initiated in each gram panchayat. A maximum of Rs 68,000 can be utilised for the rejuvenation programme.
There are sufficient funds for the programme under MGNREGS, she added.
The ZP CEO said 25 engineers from the district were sent to Chitradurga for training to undertake the rejuvenation programme.
The engineers, with the assistance of geologists and labourers from MGNREGS, are engaged in rejuvenating the borewells.
Kadur is facing continuous drought-like situation and the groundwater level has decreased drastically. All the 60 gram panchayats in Kadur taluk are facing acute shortage of water. Lakhya and Ambale hoblis in Chikkamagaluru taluk are also facing shortage of water, she said.
The ZP CEO said that a proposal of Rs 68 crore to take up projects to mitigate water shortage has been submitted to the State government. The proposal is yet to get approval from the government, she added.
Ragapriya said the government has already released Rs 50 lakh each to drought affected area in Chikkamagaluru, Kadur and Tarikere taluks. The fund is being used to take up drought relief works, she added.