Regarded as the State’s second largest lake, Daroji lake in Daroji village which can irrigate a total of 4,700 acres of land, today stands dry - thanks to scanty rainfall.
Besides, lack of inflow to the lake from the Tungabhdra reservoir’s right bank canal has left the farmers of this region distraught.
Till December last year, the lake with a capacity of 0.60 tmc ft, was filled with water from the reservoir. Since there were no rains in May and June, the lake is completely dry.
Built in the 13th century, the lake is now managed by the Watershed Department. After its rejuvenation decades ago, water from the lake is primarily utilised for irrigation purposes of 4,700 acres of land in Hosa Daroji, Hale Daroji, Madapura, Somalapura, Honnalli, Mavinahalli, Suggenahalli and Gonala villages.
But this year, due to the delay onset of monsoon, farmers have not been able to prepare their land to grow chilli and paddy, Water Users Association president C Ramanjaneya told Deccan Herald.
He has also urged the Government to desilt the lake as rainwater flowing from Narihall and Hospet mining areas, bring red soil accumulating silt in the lake. Silt level in the lake is recorded at 30 per cent, as a result, the lake’s capacity has been reduced to 0.40 TMC ft.
Over the years, development of the lake has taken a backseat. Although, the lake is maintained by the Watershed Department, it has to seek funds from the Minor Irrigation Department to take up technical repair works.
This has affected its development, it is said. Due to a lack of co-ordination between the departments, nine iron gates of various canals in the command area were recently stolen.
Besides, 14 personnel who were appointed by the Government to monitor the lake have either retired or are transferred. Two persons were appointed on a temporary basis by the irrigation sub-division in Kampli, but has not been possible to monitor the canals in the command areas, it is said.