Every living being on earth requires water, air and light. Without these, there is no life. At the same time, a village’s neglect towards its water bodies - rivers, tanks and wells - means an apathy towards progress.
Scores of water bodies that watered generations together are vanishing without a trace, thanks to unprecedented emphasis on modernity. A classic example is the Bosga Tank in Gulbarga that once fulfiled the water needs of the entire city. Unfortunately, the tank is now fast receding into history.

Before Independence, Gulbarga was entirely dependent on tanks and wells for its drinking water requirements. Some far-sighted planning by people of those days resulted in the Bosga Tank being built in 1924, which began supplying water to the 30,000 people of the city all through the year. Gulbarga city was supplied drinking water from the tank till 1976, says an elder citizen.

This tank was once a haven for beautiful birds too. Thousands of birds would visit the tank on a regular basis, adding to the beauty of the place.

The tank, situated around 6 km from the city, is spread across 459 acres. A canal was constructed from the tank towards the treatment plant without the help of machines to facilitate the smooth flow of water. Water flowed the entire day to be treated. This canal stands testimony to the technology of those days.

The treated water was then supplied to the city through a pipeline; water could be pumped throughout the city without the aid of the electric motor! People believed that drinking water could never be scarce. According to people who live in the vicinity of the tank, the Bosga Tank supplied water to the city even after the population rose to three lakhs.

After Bheema water began to be supplied to some areas of the city, the tank was pushed to the background. Silt filled up, reducing the tank’s depth. Then, the tank dried up, following four years of continuous drought (and lack of rains) from 2002. Farmers eventually encroached the tank bed, converting it into vegetable gardens. A decent amount of rainfall last year finally filled up the tank.

Meanwhile, desilting was taken up, but was abandoned after some time. It is now absolutely necessary to desilt and develop the tank. Spending thousands of crores on new schemes has not brought water to the taps of all the homes in the city.

The people of Hyderabad-Karnataka region still struggle for drinking water, though the district boasts of Bennethora, Amarja, Mullamari, Kagina and Bheema irrigation projects. Not a single department has evinced interest in developing Bosga Tank that supplied water to the city for over five decades. Desilting will increase the tank’s storage capacity. But, what can be said about people who allow tanks to dry up and then go in search of new water resources?

Translated by B S Srivani